A conversational, small-story approach to narrative care for people with dementia living in care institutions: Strategies and challenges

Feliciano Villar*, Gerben J. Westerhof

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

4 Citations (Scopus)
136 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

The aim of the paper was to define what narrative care is and identify and discuss everyday conversational narrative care strategies regarding people living with dementia in long-term care institutional settings. To do so, we differentiate between two approaches to narrative care: a big-story approach (reflecting on life stories) and a small-story approach (enacting stories in everyday conservations). The paper is focused on the second approach, which appears to be particularly fit to be used with people living with dementia. We identify three main strategies to implement this approach in everyday care: (1) prompting and sustaining narratives; (2) valuing non-verbal and embodied cues; and (3) constructing narrative environments. Finally, we discuss some training, institutional and cultural barriers and challenges for providing conversational, small story-based narrative care for people living with dementia in long-term care institutions.

Original languageEnglish
Article number101105
JournalJournal of aging studies
Volume64
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2023

Keywords

  • Long-term institutional care: Persons living with dementia
  • Narrative care
  • Person-centered care

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