This project applied action research methodologies to collect data for the refinement of an existing empowerment support program initially designed for young people with dementia (SPANkracht). The objective was to tailor the program to suit the needs of older individuals with dementia. People with dementia along with their informal and formal caregivers were actively involved in modifying, testing, and evaluating the new intervention.

The resultant SPAN+ intervention (retaining a sense of Self-worth, having a sense of Personal identity, having a sense of Autonomous choices and control, and having a sense of usefulness and being Needed) comprises two variants: ‘Nursing home’ and ‘Home’. Both variants include materials designed to empower older individuals with dementia by supporting and enhancing enjoyable and specifically tailored moments and activities.

The data files presented here were collected during the phases of modification, pilot testing and (process) evaluation of the SPAN+ Nursing home variant. It is anticipated that subsequent data files of the nursing home and home variant will be available at a later data.