The agitation-activity interface of people with dementia in long-term care.
The purpose of this study was to examine agitated behaviors of people with dementia relative to time and activity variables. This descriptive study involved a sample of 420 units of 30-minute time periods collected in a long-term care setting. The highest agitation scores occurred during the evening (F = 3.93, p = 0.009). Agitation scores were significantly higher when the same level of activity was sustained for 1.5 hours or longer (p = 0.000). This study suggests that future examination is needed of an intervention to control activity schedules so that there is a balance between sensory-stimulating and sensory-calming activities.
Kovach
C R
CR
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.
Schlidt
A M
AM
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003704:Dementia / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008134:Long-Term Care; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D011595:Psychomotor Agitation / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D013997:Time Factors