The effects of animal assisted activity on the behaviour of older persons living with dementia within a Maltese long-term care facility

Abstract

Aim: This study was designed to investigate the effects of Animal Assisted Activity (AAA) on the behaviours of older persons living with dementia within a Maltese Long-term Care (LTC) Facility. Background: The number of older persons living with dementia in LTC facilities is increasing and though pharmacological methods are the mainstay of treatment, less invasive non pharmacological therapies are being explored as an adjunct or even replacement for pharmacology, also with the intention of improving the quality of life. AAT is one of these promising therapies that has not yet been fully investigated especially in LTC facilities. Methodology: A series of 12 AAA sessions were administered by the researcher to six older persons living with moderate to severe dementia, residing in the Dementia Unit of a LTC facility. Observations of Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD) by staff and relatives prior to the AAA sessions, and by the researcher during the administration of the AAA sessions were recorded. Results: The study showed that with AAA there was an overall decrease in frequency and sometimes cessation in negative behaviours of the older person participants. There also was an improvement in social interaction. This study also identified factors that influenced the effect of the AAA sessions: (a) severity of dementia, (b) mobility, (c) type of session, (d) timing of session and (e) the personalities and prior habits of the participants. Recommendations: Although future studies are required on a larger cohort and over a longer time span, as well as on the duration of the effects of AAA after cessation of the activities, the results of this study support the fact that person-specific AAA improves BPSD in older persons living with dementia in a local LTC facility.