Behaviors of nursing home residents with dementia: examining nurse responses.

It is challenging for nurses to understand and respond to behaviors expressed by individuals with dementia. Nurses in this study responded to behaviors in 4 discrete ways--with no treatment, treatment without assessment, repetitive use of ineffective treatments, and with comprehensive assessment followed by treatment. Using ineffective treatments and treating without assessing were associated with recurrence of behaviors. This study suggests there is a need for more assessment and critical thinking when addressing behavior change in individuals with dementia.

RCT Entities:   Population Interventions Outcomes