“Friendship” Interactions and Expression of Agitation among Residents of a Dementia Care Unit

Abstract

Friendships" (ongoing interpersonal interactions) and agitated behavior were studied among 59 residents of a dementia special care unit; most residents had mild to moderate cognitive impairment. Behavior scan data were recorded by trained observers over six months. Three scans per hour were conducted, seven days a week, between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m., producing more than 17,000 observations. A marginal model for binary longitudinal data was developed to associate covariates with repeated observations of agitation, the dependent variable; generalized estimating equations were used to estimate regression parameters. Friendship behavior was significantly associated with (less) observed agitation in this group of dementia residents, controlling for additional variables expected to predict agitation. Opportunity for self-initiated interpersonal engagement may contribute significantly to the wellbeing of moderately impaired dementia residents. Repeated over-time assessments are important in understanding factors related to expression of problem behaviors in this population.Problem behaviors, both physical and verbal, are common among persons with dementing illness. These behaviors are often referred to as expressions of agitation. Nursing home units that are dedicated to 188

Staging casual conversations for people with dementia

“…After all, it is more likely that there is more common ground and shared mutual interests between fellow residents of a similar age and with similar generational experiences, compared to staff members. Research has shown that good quality residentresident relations are associated with a better sense of well-being for residents with dementia (Clare et al, 2008) and also with lower levels of agitation (Kutner, Brown, Stavisky, Clark, & Green, 2000).…”

Supporting the friendships of people with dementia

“…1 We argue that practitioners have a role to play in creating the opportunities for such relationships to develop while cautioning against relying upon too narrow or simplistic a notion of what constitutes friendship. For instance, Kutner, Brown, Stavisky, Clark, and Green (2000) who set out to explore friendship interactions and expressions of agitation among residents with dementia in care homes, defined friendships as: '. .…”

Can Persons With Dementia Be Engaged With Stimuli?

“…1 More specifically, verbal and physical agitation have been directly correlated with understimulation in this population. 2–4 In long-term care settings, problem behaviors were shown to increase when the person was inactive and to decrease when structured activities were offered. 5 …”