Restoring dressing independence in persons with Alzheimer's disease: a pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
Well meaning nursing facility staff may compromise the independence of older adults with dementia by performing activities of daily living for residents. We assessed the impact of teaching certified nursing assistants (CNAs) to use a graduated prompting procedure to increase dressing independence of persons with dementia.


METHODS
This study was conducted in a seven-bed dementia care unit. Three residents and two CNAs participated in the study. We used a repeated-measures experimental design to evaluate the effect of a training workshop for CNAs on a strategy for increasing resident engagement in self-care activities.


RESULTS
During a series of baseline observations, we found that CNAs typically dressed residents with minimal resident involvement. Results showed that, following the training workshop for CNAs, resident independence in dressing increased and range of motion improved.


CONCLUSIONS
CNAs can provide restorative care that increases dressing independence and range of motion of older adults with dementia.
Engelman
Kimberly K
KK
University of Kansas, School of Medicine, Department of Preventive Medicine, Kansas City, USA.
Mathews
R Mark
RM
Altus
Deborah E
DE
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000145:classification* / Q000523:psychology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D001072:Apraxias / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D003479:Curriculum; D004493:Education; D005260:Female; D005851:Geriatric Nursing / Q000193:education; D006801:Humans; D009728:Nursing Assistants / Q000193:education; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology