Tales+Dementia+Study

Scientific Study for the Project "Once upon a Time... Fairy Tales and Dementia"

Project duration: 15/02/2014 - 31/08/2015

Principal investigator: Prof. Dr. Ingrid Kollak (ASH Berlin)

Project staff: Anna Herzog, M.A., Marie Wöpking, M.A., Gisela Fahlbusch, B.A., Aylin Quack

Partners:

• Märchenland – Deutsches Zentrum für Märchenkultur gGmbh
• Katharinenhof-Group (three care facilities)
• Agaplesion Bethanien
• Markus Diakonie

Abstract:
How do residents of nursing homes who suffer from dementia and display challenging behaviour react to fairy tale narration? (How) can fairy tale narration improve residents’ quality of life and support care routines?

The Tales+Dementia+Study examines these questions by evaluating the project "Once upon a Time… Fairy Tales and Dementia". The project offers fairy tale narration in five nursing homes (Berlin, Frankfurt/M. and Stade), which are organized by Märchenland – Deutsches Zentrum für Märchenkultur gGmbH (Fairy Tale Land – the German Centre for Fairy Tale Culture). The study uses interviews, observations and audio-visual-recordings to integrate the perspectives of participants, nursing staff and narrators.

For the first time in Germany, this study sets out to find evidence on the impact of fairy tale narration as a psycho-social intervention for people suffering from mild to severe dementia who also display challenging behaviour.

 

Funding:

• Federal Ministry of Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth
• Senate Department for Health and Social Affairs, Berlin
• Katharinenhof-Group (three care facilities)
• Agaplesion Bethanien
• Markus Diakonie

Contact: