Caring for Residents with Dementia and Aggressive Behavior: Impact of Life History Knowledge

Abstract

<h4></h4> <p>Aggressive behavior is a frequent occurrence in the care of individuals with dementia. In this pilot study, the authors explored the impact of sharing patients’ life histories with staff on four patients’ aggression and interviewed nursing staff and families to determine the impact that developing and learning about the life history had on them. There was some evidence of decrease in aggression among the patients who demonstrated frequent aggressive behavior at baseline. Life history information affected some staff members profoundly, leading toward a greater empathy for the patient. This study demonstrates the feasibility and potential value of using life histories with residents who demonstrate aggressive behavior.</p>

Formal caregivers’ experiences of aggressive behaviour in older people living with dementia in nursing homes: A systematic review

“…A person-centred approach is pointed out by Enmarker et al (2010) as one way for formal caregivers to manage aggressive behaviour in daily living caring situations instead of pharmacological interventions as first-line options for treatment, which also is consistent with dementia guidelines (Azermai, 2015;Cohen-Mansfield, 2013;Kales, Gitlin, & Lyketsos, 2014). The approach means to see each patient as an individual with a unique life history and needs from a holistic perspective that encourages patient participation, fosters empowerment and entails treating the patient with respect and dignity, despite illness (Egan et al, 2007;Ekman et al, 2011…”

Life‐story work in long‐term care facilities for older people: An integrative review

“…Of the thirteen papers (twelve studies), ten examined the experience of life‐story of people living with dementia (Buron, ; Egan et al., ; Eritz et al., ; Ervin, Cross, & Koschel, ; Heggestad & Slettebo, ; Kellett et al., ; McKeown et al., McKeown et al., ; Russell & Timmons, ; Subramaniam, Woods, & Whitaker, ), while the other three did not specify if the residents had a cognitive impairment (Bakken et al., ; Phenice & Griffore, ; Wills & Day, ). International representation was evident with the following: four from the UK, two each from Australia, Canada and Norway, and one each from New Zealand, Republic of Ireland and the USA.…”

“…International representation was evident with the following: four from the UK, two each from Australia, Canada and Norway, and one each from New Zealand, Republic of Ireland and the USA. Participants within studies were residents ( N = 150, range 4–73, mean 16) (Buron, ; Egan et al., ; Eritz et al., ; Heggestad & Slettebo, ; McKeown et al., , ; Phenice & Griffore, ; Russell & Timmons, ; Subramaniam et al., ; Wills & Day, ), staff ( N = 184, range 7–99, mean 26) (Bakken et al., ; Buron, ; Egan et al., ; Eritz et al., ; Ervin et al., ; Kellett et al., ; McKeown et al., , ) and families ( N = 25, range 3–12, mean 6) (Ervin et al., ; Kellett et al., ; McKeown et al., , ; Wills & Day, ). Within reporting the participants, McKeown et al.…”

“… Egan et al. () found a moderate reduction in resident aggressive behaviour following the life‐story work. Half of the staff reported a change in their own approach to care as a direct result of knowing more about the resident and their life. …”

A life history intervention for individuals with dementia: a randomised controlled trial examining nursing staff empathy, perceived patient personhood and aggressive behaviours

“…Egan et al 2007; McKeowen et al 2010, 2013; Subramaniam, Woods and Whitaker 2014). For example, Egan et al (2007) piloted a life history intervention on four LTC residents to determine whether aggressive behaviours decreased. They constructed (with informants) and shared residents' life histories with staff members, to evaluate the intervention including behavioural tracking and qualitative analysis of staff interviews.…”