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@ARTICLE{Knecht:285345,
author = {Knecht, Hanna Lea and Rodriguez, Francisca Saveria},
title = {{S}ocial engagement in dementia: {A}ctivities, motivation,
support, barriers, and increasing aspects.},
journal = {Journal of Alzheimer's disease},
volume = {109},
number = {4},
issn = {1387-2877},
address = {Amsterdam},
publisher = {IOS Press},
reportid = {DZNE-2026-00211},
pages = {1874 - 1883},
year = {2026},
abstract = {BackgroundSocial engagement has been connected to better
psychological well-being, improved QoL, and resilience to
neuropathological changes. Yet, little is known about the
details of social engagement in dementia, which could inform
effective interventions.ObjectiveWith this study, we aimed
at providing information on social engagement of people with
dementia (PWD), given by proxies and PWD.Methods501 people
actively involved in dementia care in Germany $(86\%$
female; mean age 53.5 years) provided answers to a
structured, quantitative survey via online/paper
questionnaire, or interview on (i) the types of social
activities that PWD engage in, (ii) PWDs' motivation for
social engagement, (iii) the support PWD get to engage, (iv)
barriers to engage in activities, and (v) ways to increase
social engagement. Descriptive analyses as well as overall
and pairwise comparisons were performed.ResultsPWD often
attend therapies (M = 3.6, SD = 1.0) and sometimes meet-ups
with friends (M = 3.0, SD = 1.0), and they remain interested
in social engagement (M = 3.5, SD = 1.7). Support was
perceived to come mainly from family members $(88.9\%),$
partners/spouses $(85.9\%),$ and friends/acquaintances
$(59.9\%).$ Most participants perceived activities not being
dementia-friendly $(16.1\%)$ and the lack of support
$(25.6\%)$ as a major barrier to social engagement. To
increase the engagement of PWD, participants suggested that
social activities need to be adapted to their abilities
$(83.1\%),$ that the community needs to provide inclusive
activities $(75.0\%),$ and that specialized care services
need to be expanded $(41.4\%).ConclusionsTo$ facilitate and
increase social engagement of PWD, support from social
contacts and inclusive community behavior could be valuable
steps.},
keywords = {Humans / Dementia: psychology / Female / Male / Motivation
/ Middle Aged / Aged / Social Participation: psychology /
Social Support / Germany / Surveys and Questionnaires /
Quality of Life: psychology / Aged, 80 and over / Adult /
Alzheimer's disease (Other) / dementia (Other) /
non-pharmacological interventions (Other) / psychosocial
interventions (Other)},
cin = {AG Rodriguez},
ddc = {610},
cid = {I:(DE-2719)1510900},
pnm = {353 - Clinical and Health Care Research (POF4-353)},
pid = {G:(DE-HGF)POF4-353},
typ = {PUB:(DE-HGF)16},
pubmed = {pmid:41568939},
pmc = {pmc:PMC12894425},
doi = {10.1177/13872877251411341},
url = {https://pub.dzne.de/record/285345},
}