Catastrophic reactions and other behaviors of Alzheimer's residents: special unit compared with traditional units.
Using a quasi-experimental pretest/posttest design, the effects of a Special Care Unit (SCU) on the incidence of catastrophic reactions and other behaviors of nursing home residents with Alzheimer's disease (AD) were examined. Findings indicate significantly fewer catastrophic reactions and other selected behavior changes occurred during the posttest period for subjects in the experimental group compared with the subjects in the control group. Implications for psychiatric consultation/liaison nurses (PCLNs) working with this vulnerable population are discussed.
Swanson
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EA
University of Iowa, College of Nursing, Iowa City 52242.
Maas
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ML
Buckwalter
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KC
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D003674:Defense Mechanisms; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008134:Long-Term Care / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D012919:Social Behavior; D012931:Social Environment; D014754:Violence