Galof Katarina
Faculty of Health Sciences, Occupational Therapy Department, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Front Sports Act Living. 2025 Aug 8;7:1563025. doi: 10.3389/fspor.2025.1563025. eCollection 2025.
In Slovenia, about 5% of people over 65 live in care homes. Although there is no accurate data on the prevalence and incidence of dementia, the number of people with dementia is increasing, mainly due to ageing. As life expectancy increases, so does the prevalence of dementia, which poses major challenges for ageing societies, including Slovenia. It is estimated that more than 40,000 people currently live with dementia in Slovenia. Occupational therapists are integral members of care teams in care homes. Their job is to provide residents with meaningful activities and improve quality of life.
The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of different methods and techniques used by occupational therapists in the care of people with dementia in care homes.
An online survey was conducted, targeting occupational therapists working in residential care facilities. The questionnaire, developed based on professional experience and knowledge of occupational therapy in such facilities, used a 5-point Likert scale (never, occasionally, often, very often, always) to assess the frequency of strategies and techniques used in dementia care.
The results showed differences in the use of therapeutic strategies. In Slovenia, occupational therapists often focus on training and enabling people with dementia to be involved in activities of daily living, while in other countries more emphasis is placed on training carers and health professionals and including people with dementia in leisure activities, including sports.
Occupational therapists play a crucial role in improving the quality of life of people with dementia. Training in this area may be inadequate, which could explain the lower integration of sports and similar activities into therapy. Another factor could be the stage of dementia at which such activities are no longer suitable without modifications. A deeper investigation into reasons for the limited use of sports in dementia care by occupational therapists is warranted. It is crucial to recognize that each person with dementia experiences physical activity differently and faces unique challenges. Occupational therapy can greatly enhance their quality of life.
在斯洛文尼亚，65岁以上的人群中约有5%居住在养老院。尽管目前尚无关于痴呆症患病率和发病率的准确数据，但痴呆症患者的数量正在增加，主要原因是人口老龄化。随着预期寿命的延长，痴呆症的患病率也在上升，这给包括斯洛文尼亚在内的老龄化社会带来了重大挑战。据估计，目前斯洛文尼亚有超过4万名痴呆症患者。职业治疗师是养老院护理团队的重要成员。他们的工作是为居民提供有意义的活动并改善生活质量。
本研究的目的是调查职业治疗师在养老院护理痴呆症患者时使用不同方法和技术的频率。
开展了一项在线调查，目标群体是在寄宿护理机构工作的职业治疗师。该问卷基于在此类机构中职业治疗的专业经验和知识制定，使用5点李克特量表（从不、偶尔、经常、非常经常、总是）来评估痴呆症护理中所使用策略和技术的频率。
结果显示在治疗策略的使用上存在差异。在斯洛文尼亚，职业治疗师通常侧重于训练并使痴呆症患者能够参与日常生活活动，而在其他国家则更强调培训护理人员和健康专业人员，并让痴呆症患者参与休闲活动，包括体育运动。
职业治疗师在改善痴呆症患者的生活质量方面发挥着关键作用。该领域的培训可能不足，这可以解释为何体育活动和类似活动较少融入治疗中。另一个因素可能是痴呆症的阶段，在该阶段如果不进行调整，此类活动就不再合适。有必要对职业治疗师在痴呆症护理中体育活动使用有限的原因进行更深入的调查。必须认识到，每位痴呆症患者对体育活动的体验不同，面临着独特的挑战。职业治疗能够极大地提高他们的生活质量。
