Re-thinking and re-positioning ‘being in the moment’ within a continuum of moments : introducing a new conceptual framework for dementia studies

Keady, J; Campbell, S; Clark, AJ; Dowlen, R; Elvish, R; Jones, L; Kindell, J; Swarbrick, C; Williams, S

Abstract

This article draws upon six social research studies completed by members of the Dementia
and Ageing Research Team at The University of Manchester and their associated networks
over an eight-year period [2011-2019] with the aim of constructing a definition of ‘being in
the moment’ and situating it within a continuum of moments that could be used to
contextualise and frame the lived experience of dementia. Using the approach formulated by
Pound et al.(2005) to synthesising qualitative studies, we identified this continuum of
moments as comprising four sequential and inter-linked steps: i) ‘Creating the moment’,
defined as the processes and procedures necessary to enable being in the moment to take
place. The time necessary for this to occur can range from fleeting to prolonged; ii) ‘Being in
the moment’, which refers to the multi-sensory processes involved in a personal or relational
interaction and embodied engagement. Being in the moment can be sustained through
creativity and flow; iii) ‘Ending the moment’, defined as when a specific moment is
disengaged. This can be triggered by the person(s) involved consciously or subconsciously,
or caused by a distraction in the environment or suchlike; and iv) ‘Reliving the moment’,
which refers to the opportunity for the experience(s) involved in ‘being in the moment’ to be
later remembered and shared, however fragmentary, supported or full the recall.

Citation

Keady, J., Campbell, S., Clark, A., Dowlen, R., Elvish, R., Jones, L., …Williams, S. (2022). Re-thinking and re-positioning ‘being in the moment’ within a continuum of moments : introducing a new conceptual framework for dementia studies. Ageing and society, 42(3), 681-702. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0144686X20001014

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jul 10, 2020
• Online Publication Date: Sep 4, 2020
• Publication Date: Mar 1, 2022
• Deposit Date: Sep 4, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Sep 4, 2020
• Journal: Ageing and Society
• Print ISSN: 0144-686X
• Electronic ISSN: 1469-1779
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
• Volume: 42
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 681-702
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0144686X20001014
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0144686X20001014
• Related Public URLs: http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayJournal?jid=ASO