title: Direct observation of behavior: a review of current measures for use with older adults with dementia.
abstract: This review article reports on methods of direct observation of behaviors for use in long-term care settings, particularly with older adults who have dementia. This article provides information on the theoretical roots, administration methods, and psychometric properties of measures of direct observation of individual behavior. It is hoped that this review will help gerontological nurses make informed choices about the direct observation measures that suit their specific needs, highlight the role of direct observation in quality improvement for dementia care, and facilitate a balance between identifying a gold standard and allowing flexibility to assess project-specific behaviors.
authors.affiliation: Center for Senior Care, Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services, 300 68th Street SE, PO Box 165, Grand Rapids, MI 49501-0165, USA. Kimberly.Curyto@PineRest.org
authors.forename: Kim J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Curyto
authors.forename: Kimberly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Van Haitsma
authors.forename: Deedre K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Vriesman
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003704:Dementia / Q000150:complications*; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D005851:Geriatric Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D019370:Observation / Q000379:methods*; D011594:Psychometrics; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D017749:Total Quality Management / Q000458:organization & administration