2008 Grants - de Medeiros

The Social Environments of People with Dementia in Long-Term Care

Kathryn de Medeiros, Ph.D.
The Copper Ridge Institute
Sykesville, Maryland

2008 New Investigator Research Grant

People moving into a long-term care facility are faced with many personal challenges, including making new friends, feeling at home and finding social activities that interest them. This is particularly challenging for people with dementia, yet there are few studies of sociability, friendships and social milieu of people with dementia in long-term care.

Kathryn de Medeiros, Ph.D., and colleagues will conduct an observational study to closely examine which people form friendships and social groups within a dementia-care facility. The research team will also look at which components of cognitive performance, physical functioning and conversational ability play a role in predicting positive social interactions among residents.

This work will fill an important gap in the literature on social relationships among people with dementia in long-term care and has the potential to provide much needed insight into improving the overall quality of life of people with dementia.