Relish / Active Minds as a Tool Recommended for Occupational Therapists Working with Seniors Having Dementia. A Preliminary Report

Introduction: Dementia is a neurodegenerative disease that, among others, reduces the level of a patient’s functioning. Supporting patients should be comprehensive, also involving non-pharmacological interventions which include occupational therapy strategies based on the use of specific tools. The Relish / Active Minds sets, which have not yet been described in Polish scientific reports, can be found among available tools. The aim of the study was to preliminary assess the possibility of using these sensory, sensorimotor and cognitively stimulating sets dedicated to people with dementia in occupational therapy.

Material and methods: The study involved 30 people with dementia attending the Day Care Home in Oświęcim, who participated in specially-designed activities using Relish / Active Minds sets. The participants were divided into 2 equinumerous groups: patients with moderate and mild dementia. In each group, activities were carried out using 3 Relish / Active Minds products with various degrees of difficulty. All participants used each of the 3 products under the supervision of a therapist 3 times in the period from Sept. to Oct. 2020. The activities were conducted by occupational therapists trained by the authors of the study. To monitor the course of the study, original observation tables and interviews with occupational therapists were used.

Results: The markings for the difficulty level proposed by the designer in the products "Maze" and " Matching picture pairs " was shown to be inadequate with regard to the abilities of seniors with moderate and mild dementia. The use of Relish / Active Minds products by seniors with dementia had a positive effect on their communication skills, emotional state, cognitive condition and the sensorimotor area.

Conclusions: It has been shown that, despite certain limitations, the Relish / Active Minds sets, with properly monitored application, contribute to the improvement of rehabilitation quality among elderly people with dementia and are a valuable tool in the work of an occupational therapist.

