title: Aggressive behaviors between residents with dementia in an assisted living residence.
abstract: Aggressive behavior between residents with dementia in long-term care residences is a concerning but understudied phenomenon. The goal of the study was to identify the circumstances, sequence of events, and triggers that lead to these behaviors. I collected the data during 10 months in two special care units of an assisted living residence. I used participant observation as the primary data collection strategy, complemented by review of clinical records and semi-structured interviews with care staff and managers. As the analytic framework, I used Grounded Theory informed by Miles and Huberman's approach. In a substantial number of the reported 85 incidents, I identified observable early warning signs; in the majority, I identified observable causes or triggers prior to the aggressive acts. The majority of incidents were situational-reactive (circumstance-driven) and therefore potentially modifiable. Twelve effective staff prevention strategies were identified. I suggest incorporating the study findings into care staff training programs.
authors: Geriatrics & Extended Care Data & Analyses Center, Providence VA Medical Center, Providence, Rhode Island, USA eiloncaspi@yahoo.com.
authors: Eilon
authors: E
authors: Caspi
mesh_terms: D000374:Aggression; D040561:Assisted Living Facilities; D003704:Dementia / Q000523:psychology*; D066296:Grounded Theory; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D010361:Patients / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; aggressive behaviors; dementia; long-term care; observation