Including Small Group Activities in Large Special Care Units

Abstract

An activity program for groups of 6 to 8 residents was implemented for 51 residents of 3 dementia units. Nursing assistants, not the activity director, led the small group activities. Observations across a 16-week period indicate that, after the program began, residents walked with others more, sang more, frowned less, and were physically restrained less. In addition, psychotropic medications were reduced for 7 of 20 who were on this type of medication. These results suggest that an inexpensive small group activity program, ifused in conjunction with a supportive, caring staff, is valuable in avoiding some excess disabilities of residents of special care units . Alzheimer's disease or some other type of dementia afflicts at least 50% of nursing home residents (Office of Technology Assessment, 1987). Because of behavior problems associated with dementia, many nursing homes have established special care units (SCUs) to accommodate the special needs of demented residents. SCUs stress not only basic medical and physical needs but also social needs with activity programs and more interaction between staff and residents. These units tend to cost more to maintain, but research has suggested that SCUs are helpful in reducing problem behaviors (Cleary,

Evaluating two group programmes of cognitive training in mild-to-moderate AD: Is there any difference between a ‘global’ stimulation and a ‘cognitive-specific’ one?

“…However, our results suggest that a 'global' treatment, which can be implemented with non-expert staff, can be linked to a significant improvement in patients in the mild-to-moderate stage of AD, both for behavioural and functional aspects. Our data agrees with some previous research that found that activity programs (e.g., including music, word games, food preparation, and so forth) may reduce the prevalence of behaviour disorders in nursing home patients (Martichuski, Bell, & Badshaw, 1996;Rovner, Steele, Shmuely, & Folstein, 1996), and improve cognitive functioning (Gerber et al, 1991). This type of intervention has been already implemented in various facilities for patients with dementia, but it should be available for patients still living at home or in day care centres.…”

Efficacy of Recreational and Occupational Activities Associated to Psychologic Support in Mild to Moderate Alzheimer Disease

“…These results partially confirm findings of a previous research study 15 which showed that AD patients treated with the same technique demonstrated an improvement in behavioral disturbances, along with some functional and cognitive gains. Even if it is clear that our actual study has some limitations (above all the lack of randomization), we consider that literature data, 8,32 joined with our present and previous findings, 15 give support to the notion that a ''generic'' group activity program, based mainly on recreational-occupational activities, can determine an improvement in AD patients for behavioral aspects. On the other hand, it is clear that different elements of our program can contribute to positive effects on behavior when patients and caregivers receive psychologic sessions and educational support.…”

Dimensions of Care for Dementia Sufferers in Long-Term Care Institutions: Are They Related to Outcomes?

“…The residents' functional ability and cognitive status, however, did not improve. Martichuski, Bell, and Bradshaw (1996) evaluated the effect of smallgroup activity and caring staff on resident outcomes in SCUs and reported a decrease in the use of both physical restraints and psychotropic drugs but no change in the level of physical functioning or in the frequency of negative behaviors (except frowning, which declined). Among positive behaviors, significant changes in walking with others and singing were observed.…”