This study examines the effects of behavioral management training in reducing the occurrences of aggressive behaviors among elderly patients diagnosed with dementia. Forty-five involuntary elderly patients in a residential care center were observed by certified nurse's assistants (CNA) and licensed practical nurses as to the number of aggressive behaviors displayed before nurses completed a month of behavioral training and after completing training. Results show no significant differences in the occurrence of aggressive behaviors in Pre and Post training. Reduction in the average amount of aggressive behaviors did, however, produce better result for the CNA's compared to licensed nurses. Difference in individual aggressive behavioral frequencies shows greater improvement for "Resistive to Care" for the CNA nurses.
Reducing Aggressive Behaviors Among Elderly with Dementia
Few would argue that our elderly are a primary concern when special care is needed. Special care often results in the need for outside assistance such as nursing care residential centers or what is commonly known as nursing homes for the elderly. Unfortunately many of the elderly residents in these residential care facilities are diagnosed with dementia making care a challenge. Dementia is classified as an impairment disorder effecting the vascular or neurological structures of the brain. In same case, dementia is treatable as in cases with brain tumors or dementia due to a metabolic cause. Symptoms include a progressive loss of memory, decreased ability to care for oneself, decreased interest in daily living activities.
DSM-IV criteria for diagnosis of dementia include:
Disorganized thinking as evidenced by speech patterns
Two or more of the following symptoms:
Disorientation to person, place, time
Impairment of memory, problem solving, learning, language
Symptoms develop rapidly, may fluctuate
Evidence from the history, physical exam, an...