The aim of the research is to understand what ‘meaningful occupation’ really means for people with dementia residing in care homes and how meaningful occupation can best be incorporated into their daily lives.

The project will investigate:

1) What is understood by ‘meaningful occupation’ for people with dementia in care homes by residents, carers, families, friends and care home managers, owners and staff?

2) Are there different models of ‘meaningful occupation’ in these settings?

3) What is the impact of different models of ‘meaningful occupation’ on residents and staff?

Despite extensive guidance highlighting the need for the provision of meaningful occupation in care homes, there is little published evidence which identifies the best types of activities that might be useful or whether particular activities may be effective or not.  The processes involved in establishing what an individual resident might consider to be ‘meaningful occupation’ and the best ways to implement these are also unclear.

The project will involve a systematic review of published qualitative research and relevant policy documents to identify what is meant by ‘meaningful occupation’, different approaches to meaningful occupation and their intended purpose, as well as the contextual impact of different beliefs of residents and staff on provision and outcomes.