The Positive Response Schedule for Severe Dementia

Abstract

A new measure of well-being is described, which has been developed in the context of a major research project investigating occupational need in persons severely impaired by dementia. Two existing measures were reviewed for suitability of use with severe dementia, namely Kitwood and Bredin's Dementia Care Mapping (1992a) and Gaebler and Hemsley's assessment of affect (1991). The latter forms the basic core and structure of the new instrument (The Positive Response Schedule for Severe Dementia), whose development is described in full. This is a discussion paper which contributes to the growing arena of debate on matters of well-being in dementia care.