Psychosocial Needs of Nursing Home Residents with Dementia
Mentor 1
Professor Jung Kwak
Location
Union Wisconsin Room
Start Date
24-4-2015 2:30 PM
End Date
24-4-2015 3:45 PM
Description
A rapidly growing number of people with Alzheimer’s and dementia are living in nursing homes in the U.S. The literature suggests a need for a better understanding of the life and experiences of these persons, as well as development of a more person-centered approach to dementia care. One promising non-pharmacological, person-centered dementia care approach is the Music & Memory (M&M) Program, an individualized music listening program. As a part of a larger study to evaluate the effects of the M&M program on resident mood, agitation, and quality of life, this current study explored demographic, cognitive, mood, and social characteristics of nursing home residents with dementia in order to better understand their emotional and social needs. The inclusion criteria for participants comprised of a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia and long-term resident status. Baseline data were collected by medical chart review, direct care assessment, and staff and family surveys. Of the 59 resident participants, 52.5% were diagnosed with anxiety and 69.5% were diagnosed with depression. Fifty percent of participants were reported to exhibit agitation or aggression, 40.4% exhibited inhibition, and 45.6% were easily disturbed or irritated. Of 59 residents, only 31 (52.5%) of residents’ families participated in the family survey. Of these, four (14.27%) were spouses, 22 (81.5%) were children caring for their parents, and one (3.7%) was caring for another relative. The majority (n=19, 67.9%) reported that their current relationship with their relative was good or excellent, and 64.3% reported visiting their relative once a week, a few times a week, or daily. However, it is unknown if the other 28 residents (47%) had a high quality relationship with their families or had regular social contact with their families. The high prevalence of anxiety and depression in participants indicates a need for interventions to improve the quality of life, such as the M&M program, for residents with dementia, especially those without regular social contact with families.
Psychosocial Needs of Nursing Home Residents with Dementia
Union Wisconsin Room
A rapidly growing number of people with Alzheimer’s and dementia are living in nursing homes in the U.S. The literature suggests a need for a better understanding of the life and experiences of these persons, as well as development of a more person-centered approach to dementia care. One promising non-pharmacological, person-centered dementia care approach is the Music & Memory (M&M) Program, an individualized music listening program. As a part of a larger study to evaluate the effects of the M&M program on resident mood, agitation, and quality of life, this current study explored demographic, cognitive, mood, and social characteristics of nursing home residents with dementia in order to better understand their emotional and social needs. The inclusion criteria for participants comprised of a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia and long-term resident status. Baseline data were collected by medical chart review, direct care assessment, and staff and family surveys. Of the 59 resident participants, 52.5% were diagnosed with anxiety and 69.5% were diagnosed with depression. Fifty percent of participants were reported to exhibit agitation or aggression, 40.4% exhibited inhibition, and 45.6% were easily disturbed or irritated. Of 59 residents, only 31 (52.5%) of residents’ families participated in the family survey. Of these, four (14.27%) were spouses, 22 (81.5%) were children caring for their parents, and one (3.7%) was caring for another relative. The majority (n=19, 67.9%) reported that their current relationship with their relative was good or excellent, and 64.3% reported visiting their relative once a week, a few times a week, or daily. However, it is unknown if the other 28 residents (47%) had a high quality relationship with their families or had regular social contact with their families. The high prevalence of anxiety and depression in participants indicates a need for interventions to improve the quality of life, such as the M&M program, for residents with dementia, especially those without regular social contact with families.
