Title: Enjoyable
Company in Sharing Stroke Experiences- Lifestyle Groups After Stroke
This
study developed, implemented, and evaluated an intervention on person-centered
lifestyle groups after stroke in Norway. Their emphasis was on the connection
between human occupation, well-being, and health. The overall aim of the
lifestyle groups was to promote well-being, occupations, and social
participation for older adults who have had a mild to moderate stroke.
Lifestyle groups were held once a week for 9 months and facilitated by an
occupational therapist. Each group had 2-8 members. Semi-structured interviews
were used to explore the experience of participating in lifestyle groups. The
interviews were tape-recorded and transcribed verbatim. The study does not
explicitly state how many people were interviewed; however, all
participants interviewed reported enjoyable company in sharing stroke
experiences, sharing knowledgeable interests, pushing and forcing each other
forward, and reflecting on their self-worth. Overall, participants
reported a sense of belonging that developed through the process of other group
members and group leaders paying attention to and valuing their ideas.
Each participant felt that they were being pushed and encouraged to actively
participate and reflect by the group leader and other participants. When it
came to self-worth, participants shared they learned how to take responsibility
for and have control over their daily occupations. Participants
were encouraged to be active in between meetings and to discuss what they
did at their next meeting. Group topics were selected by members, so
participants felt they were more willing to participate because it was
something they were interested in. The most important aspect of the lifestyle
groups for participants was developing a sense of belonging through engaging in
occupations together; this generated a supportive and inclusive environment
that showed participants how to engage actively and find different ways and new
solutions for their situations.
For me, the most important takeaway from this article is that people who participated in these lifestyle groups were able to engage in meaningful occupations and find themselves again after having a stroke. I think that the lifestyle groups discussed were guided by the psychodynamic approach and MOHO. Reflection and insight were important, as well as making sure participants were motivated to participate. This was done by having the group members pick what they wanted the topic to be for each meeting. Participants were encouraged to share and be open with each other. Most participants reported they were able to discuss things about their stroke that they had not been able to with friends and family at group meetings. I feel that this article encompasses a lot of what we learned in this Group's course. As group facilitators, it is important that we create a group environment that is inclusive and where no one is afraid to share. Having read this article, I have a better understanding of how group interventions can have a lasting effect. Through increasing social participation and promoting well-being and health through occupations, group interventions can greatly contribute to a person's overall physiological and psychological well-being. In the future, I hope I get the opportunity to facilitate a lifestyle group and be able to see the positive impact group interventions can have on a person's life.
Anne Lund, Mali Melhus & Unni Sveen. (2018). Enjoyable company in sharing stroke experiences; lifestyle groups after stroke. Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 25(2), 127-135. doi: 10.1080/11038128.2017.1341958
For me, the most important takeaway from this article is that people who participated in these lifestyle groups were able to engage in meaningful occupations and find themselves again after having a stroke. I think that the lifestyle groups discussed were guided by the psychodynamic approach and MOHO. Reflection and insight were important, as well as making sure participants were motivated to participate. This was done by having the group members pick what they wanted the topic to be for each meeting. Participants were encouraged to share and be open with each other. Most participants reported they were able to discuss things about their stroke that they had not been able to with friends and family at group meetings. I feel that this article encompasses a lot of what we learned in this Group's course. As group facilitators, it is important that we create a group environment that is inclusive and where no one is afraid to share. Having read this article, I have a better understanding of how group interventions can have a lasting effect. Through increasing social participation and promoting well-being and health through occupations, group interventions can greatly contribute to a person's overall physiological and psychological well-being. In the future, I hope I get the opportunity to facilitate a lifestyle group and be able to see the positive impact group interventions can have on a person's life.
Anne Lund, Mali Melhus & Unni Sveen. (2018). Enjoyable company in sharing stroke experiences; lifestyle groups after stroke. Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 25(2), 127-135. doi: 10.1080/11038128.2017.1341958
