title: Effects of continuous activity programming on behavioral symptoms of dementia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the effect of continuous activity programming on behavioral symptoms of dementia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Observational study based on quality improvement data.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two Dementia Special Care Units in different locations.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety veterans with dementia provided with long-tem care.
  
  
  METHODS
  Continuous activity programming.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were extracted from the MDS files and obtained by questionnaires filled out by staff members not involved in activity programming.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two settings of continuous activity programming, requiring no additional staffing, resulted in increased number of hours residents were involved in activities, decreased use of psychotropic medications, improved nutrition, and increased family satisfaction without additional staff. When additional staff was available, more intensive continuous activity programming further decreased agitation and improved sleep.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Continuous activity programming may be instituted without staffing change but the benefit is increased if additional staffing is available.
authors.affiliation: School of Aging Studies, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA. lvolicer@cas.usf.edu
authors.forename: Ladislav
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Volicer
authors.forename: Joyce
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Simard
authors.forename: Jessica Heartquist
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Pupa
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Medrek
authors.forename: Mary Ellen
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Riordan
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003704:Dementia / Q000150:complications*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006757:Hospital Units; D006787:Hospitals, Veterans; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities / Q000523:psychology; D008134:Long-Term Care; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D009735:Nursing Homes; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012934:Social Isolation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017749:Total Quality Management / Q000458:organization & administration; D014707:Vermont; D015430:Weight Gain
chemical_list: D011619:Psychotropic Drugs