Towards Engagement Recognition of People with Dementia in Care Settings

Abstract

Roughly 50 million people worldwide are currently suffering from dementia. This number is expected to triple by 2050. Dementia is characterized by a loss of cognitive function and changes in behaviour. This includes memory, language skills, and the ability to focus and pay attention. However, it has been shown that secondary therapy such as the physical, social and cognitive activation of People with Dementia (PwD) has significant positive effects. Activation impacts cognitive functioning and can help prevent the magnification of apathy, boredom, depression, and loneliness associated with dementia. Furthermore, activation can lead to higher perceived quality of life. We follow Cohen's argument that activation stimuli have to produce engagement to take effect and adopt his definition of engagement as "the act of being occupied or involved with an external stimulus".