“I forgot she used to make chocolate cake”: Digital storytelling supporting person-focussed dementia care: A qualitative thematic analysis

Reminiscence is a meaningful activity for people with dementia, but research implementing digital reminiscence tools into environments with older people is not well developed. This project sought to understand the effectiveness of a digital reminiscence tool in aiding person-centred dementia care with people attending a day respite centre and a group residential home, in metropolitan eastern Australia. This study used semi-structured interviews and ethnographic observations using a qualitative reflexive thematic analysis with seventeen participants including people with dementia ( n = 8), their loved ones ( n = 5) and staff n = 4) Themes identified were: 1. Remembering myself; 2. Reminiscing the person before and with dementia; 3. Enhanced relationships through self-expression; 4. Person-centred adaptation and the art of the interview; and 5. Future potential. Findings indicate that the StoryTiling app was user-friendly, supported reminiscence activities and enhanced person-centred care. The reminiscence activity enhanced relationships between participants, families, and carers, facilitating a deeper knowing of the person with dementia. The activities supported positive memories and emotions and helped reinforce the identity of the person with dementia in both their own mind, and their loved ones. The information captured in the StoryTiling process enabled person-centred care in improving the ability to know a person and being able to relate and respond to their individual needs, wants and goals. The process was dependent on the ‘art of the question’ and the ‘art of the interview’, particularly by people who know the person with dementia and are trauma-informed in order to effectively progress interviews and utilise them within the care environment. Enabling nudge activities that promote person-centred engagement such as reminiscence through digital storytelling may help foster person-centred care in the aged care sector.