Assaultive Behavior in Alzheimer's Disease: IDENTIFYING IMMEDIATE ANTECEDENTS DURING BATHING

Mealtime interactions between nursing home staff and residents with dementia: a behavioral analysis of Language characteristics

BACKGROUND

Quality staff-resident communication is crucial to promote outcomes in nursing home residents with dementia requiring assistance during mealtimes. Better understanding of staff-resident language characteristics in mealtime interactions help promote effective communication, yet evidence is limited. This study aimed to examine factors associated with language characteristics in staff-resident mealtime interactions.

METHODS

This was a secondary analysis of 160 mealtime videos involving 36 nursing staff and 27 residents with moderately severe to severe dementia in 9 nursing homes. Mixed-effects models was used to examine the relationships between factors and language characteristics in staff-resident mealtime interactions. The independent variables were speaker (resident vs. staff), utterance quality (negative vs. positive), intervention (pre- vs. post-communication intervention), and resident dementia stage and comorbidities. The dependent variables were expression length (number of words in each utterance) and addressing partner by name (whether staff or resident named their partner in each utterance). All models included staff, resident, and staff-resident dyad as random effects.

RESULTS

Staff (utterance n = 2990, 99.1% positive, mean = 4.3 words per utterance) predominated conversations and had more positive, longer utterances than residents (utterance n = 890, 86.7% positive, mean = 2.6 words per utterance). As residents progressed from moderately severe to severe dementia, both residents and staff produced shorter utterances (z=-2.66, p = .009). Staff (18%) named residents more often than residents (2.0%; z = 8.14, p < .0001) and when assisting residents with more severe dementia (z = 2.65, p = .008).

CONCLUSIONS

Staff-resident communication was primarily positive, staff-initiated, and resident-oriented. Utterance quality and dementia stage were associated with staff-resident language characteristics. Staff play a critical role in mealtime care communication and should continue to initiate resident-oriented interactions using simple, short expressions to accommodate resident declining language abilities, particularly those with severe dementia. Staff should practice addressing residents by their names more frequently to promote individualized, targeted, person-centered mealtime care. Future work may further examine staff-resident language characteristics at other levels of language using more diverse samples.

Israeli nursing home staff perspectives on challenges to quality care for residents with dementia

This study examines nursing home employees' perspectives concerning barriers to quality care for people with dementia. Data were derived from observations of care units and interviews with forty-one employees, including chief executive officers, social workers, nurses, occupational therapists, activity workers and nursing assistants at five Israeli nursing homes. Residents' behavior was reported as challenging for staff. Physical restraints and psychotropic medication were commonly used to address behavioral challenges, while few staff acknowledged these practices as problematic. Staff complained that some co-workers were insufficiently caring and wages and overall funding were inadequate, resulting in unsatisfactory staffing levels and insufficient activities for residents. Rigid care routines failed to meet resident needs, and staff failed to notice the relationship between care practices and resident behavior. While problems were described concerning multiple aspects of care, the root causes seemed to include the need for additional funding and for greater expertise in dementia care.

Rushing Care by Care Aides Associated With Experiences of Responsive Behaviors From Residents in Nursing Homes

OBJECTIVES

Residents with cognitive impairment favor "slow care," so rushed care may cause additional responsive behaviors (eg, verbal threats, hitting) among residents. We assessed the association of rushed care (physical and social) by care aides with their experiences of responsive behaviors from residents.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional analysis of survey data.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

A total of 3547 care aides (response rate: 69.97%) in 282 care units in a stratified random sample (health region, nursing home size, owner-operator model) of 87 urban nursing homes in Western Canada.

METHODS

Data collection occurred between September 2019 and February 2020. The dependent variables were care aide self-report of 4 types of verbal and physical responsive behavior (yes/no). The independent variables were care aide self-report of rushed physical care (count, range = 0-6) and rushed social care (yes/no). We conducted a 2-level random-intercept logistic regression with each dependent variable, controlling for care aide, care unit, and nursing home characteristics.

RESULTS

In their most recent shift, 2182 (61.5%) care aides reported having rushed at least 1 physical care task and 1782 (50.2%) reported having rushed talking with residents (social care task). When care aides rushed an additional physical care task, they had 8% higher odds of reporting having experienced yelling and screaming [odds ratio (OR) 1.08, 95% CI 1.01-1.15; P = .019]. When care aides rushed social care (talking with residents), they had 70% higher odds of reporting having experienced yelling and screaming (OR 1.70, 95% CI 1.28-2.25; P < .001). We observed the same pattern for the other types of responsive behaviors.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Rushing of physical or social care tasks by care aides was associated with increased likelihood of responsive behaviors from residents. One approach to reducing both rushed care and resident responsive behaviors may be to improve the care environment for care aides and residents.

Investigating the Feasibility of Multisensory Environments to Improve the Assisted Bathing Experience for Veterans With Dementia: A Clinical Trial

OBJECTIVES

This evidence-based design clinical trial assessed the feasibility of a multisensory environment (MSE) using aromatherapy, color-changing lights, and music as a behavioral intervention to calm Veterans with dementia during assisted bathing to improve the patient experience.

BACKGROUND

The number of Veterans with dementia is growing rapidly, along with the associated debilitating behavior challenges. The severity of these distressed behaviors that predominantly occur at bath time often necessitates costly, dangerous sedatives. Feasibility studies of nonpharmacological behavioral interventions during bathing for people with dementia are urgently needed, and research supports MSE as a viable solution.

METHOD

Using an A-B, multiple baselines across participants design, this study tracked operational behaviors of four Veterans with dementia during bathing without and with an MSE intervention. Sessions were provided and recorded by a dedicated team of five nurses, so the study team could analyze the Veterans' operational behaviors to understand the impact of individualized MSE during both baseline and intervention phases.

RESULTS

The results support the feasibility of MSE as a helpful, nonpharmacological behavioral intervention for Veterans with dementia during bathing. All participants experienced an overall increase in duration of positive operational behaviors and an overall decrease in duration of negative operational behaviors.

CONCLUSIONS

Healthcare environments are integral components in dementia care and the use of MSE within the bathing setting appears to improve not only operational behaviors but the overall bathing experience.

A communication model for nursing staff working in dementia care: Results of a scoping review

BACKGROUND

Communication between nursing staff and people with dementia can be challenging. According to the literature, communication is seen as a process of social- and/or informational exchange between a sender and a receiver in a context. Factors related to these elements determine the quality of communication. Insight into the factors involved in the communication process between nursing staff and people with dementia is limited and a comprehensive model of communication in dementia care is lacking.

OBJECTIVES

To identify and visualize factors associated with communication between nursing staff and people with dementia.

DESIGN

A scoping review of scientific literature.

DATA SOURCES

Scientific articles were retrieved from the bibliographic databases of PubMed, CINAHL and PsycINFO.

REVIEW METHODS

The reviewing process was directed by the Joanna Briggs guidelines for scoping reviews. Full-text articles describing the communication process between nursing staff and people with dementia were eligible for inclusion. A data extraction form was used to identify factors associated with communication. Following a directed content analysis approach, factors were categorized in one of three categories: nursing staff; people with dementia; or context. Each category was thematically analysed to identify themes and subthemes. Results were visualized into a communication model.

RESULTS

The review included 31 articles; in total, 115 factors were extracted. Thematic analysis of nursing staff factors (n = 78) showed that communication is associated with professional characteristics, individual experiences, verbal- and non-verbal communication skills, communication approach and values. Factors attributed to people with dementia (n = 22) concerned client characteristics, functional status, behaviour, verbal communication skills and values. Contextual factors (n = 15) related to organization of care, time and situation. Based on these results, the Contac-d model was constructed.

CONCLUSIONS

The Contac-d model gives a comprehensive overview of factors involved in the communication process between nursing staff and people with dementia, providing insight in potential starting points for communication improvement, e.g. respect for needs, identity and privacy of people with dementia, a flexible and adapted communication approach and matching language. Additionally, results suggest that an appealing location, longer duration of the interaction, and music in the surrounding may improve communication in certain situations. However, it was not feasible based on current literature to recommend what works to improve communication in which situations. Future studies should study factors and their interrelatedness in specific care situations. Authors further believe that more attention should be paid to strengths and capabilities of people with dementia and to non-modifiable factors that influence communication.

The Influence of the Physical Environment on Residents With Dementia in Long-Term Care Settings: A Review of the Empirical Literature

Background and Objectives

The physical environment in long-term care facilities has an important role in the care of residents with dementia. This paper presents a literature review focusing on recent empirical research in this area and situates the research with therapeutic goals related to the physical environment.

Research Design and Methods

A comprehensive literature search was conducted in Ageline, PsychINFO, CINAHL, Medline and Google Scholar databases to identify relevant articles. A narrative approach was used to review the literature.

Results

A total of 103 full-text items were reviewed, including 94 empirical studies and 9 reviews. There is substantial evidence on the influence of unit size, spatial layout, homelike character, sensory stimulation, and environmental characteristics of social spaces on residents' behaviors and well-being in care facilities. However, research in this area is primarily cross-sectional and based on relatively small and homogenous samples.

Discussion and Implications

Given the increasing body of empirical evidence, greater recognition is warranted for creating physical environments appropriate and responsive to residents' cognitive abilities and functioning. Future research needs to place greater emphasis on environmental intervention-based studies, diverse sample populations, inclusion of residents in different stages and with multiple types of dementia, and on longitudinal study design.

Armed and Aging: Dementia and Firearms Do Not Mix !

The possibility that persons with dementia possess firearms is cause for concern, but only a limited number of research studies have been conducted on such a topic, usually in the form of case reports. Reducing the occurrence of the firearm-related violence requires effectively identifying dangerous individuals and keeping firearms out of their hands. The health care professionals, i.e. the social workers and the physicians, need to work together and to produce a suitable evaluation of patients with dementia to prevent firearm-related injuries and serious and irreparable damage to persons.

Co-Occurrence and Predictors of Three Commonly Occurring Behavioral Symptoms in Dementia: Agitation, Aggression, and Rejection of Care

OBJECTIVE

To investigate co-occurrences of agitation, aggression, and rejection of care in community-dwelling families living with dementia.

METHODS

Cross-sectional, secondary analysis from a randomized controlled trial testing a nonpharmacological intervention to reduce behavioral symptoms. We examined frequency of occurrence of presenting behaviors at baseline and their combination. Omnibus tests compared those exhibiting combinations of behaviors on contributory factors. Multinomial logistic regression analyses examined relationships of contributory factors to combinations of behaviors.

RESULTS

Of 272 persons with dementia (PwDs), 41 (15%) had agitation alone (Agi), 3 (1%) had aggression alone, 5 (2%) had rejection of care alone. For behavioral combinations, 65 (24%) had agitation and aggression (Agi+Aggr), 35 (13%) had agitation and rejection (Agi+Rej), 1 (0%) had aggression and rejection, and 106 (39%) had all three behaviors (All). Four behavioral subgroups (Agi, Agi+Aggr, Agi+Rej, and All) were examined. Kruskal-Wallis tests showed that there were significant group differences in PwD cognition, functional dependence, and caregiver frustration. PwDs in Agi+Rej and All were more cognitively impaired than those in Agi and Agi+Aggr. Also, caregivers in All were more frustrated than those in Agi. In logistic regression analyses, compared with Agi, greater cognitive impairment was a significant predictor of Agi+Rej and All, but not Agi+Aggr. In contrast, greater caregiver frustration was a significant predictor of Agi+Aggr and All, but not Agi+Rej.

CONCLUSIONS

We found that agitation, aggression, and rejection are common but distinct behaviors. Combinations of these behaviors have different relationships with contributory factors, suggesting the need for targeting treatment approaches to clusters.

Impact of caregivers' behaviors on resistiveness to care and collaboration in persons with dementia in the context of hygienic care: an interactional perspective

BACKGROUND

The role played by various physical and verbal behaviors of professional caregivers in the onset of resistiveness to care (RTC) and collaborative behaviors of nursing home residents with dementia was assessed in a daily hygienic care routine context.

METHODS

Two hundred and forty hygienic care routines, observed in eight nursing home residents, were analyzed with a video-assisted systematic observation methodology and a sequential statistical analysis strategy.

RESULTS

Caregiver and care recipient behaviors are interdependent in the hygienic care routine context. Physical instrumental behavior, neutral, negative and positive statements, positive and negative instructions, and verbal distraction emitted by caregivers are significantly and moderately associated with the onset of RTC in persons with dementia (PWD), but the strength of relationships observed depends on the care recipient's behavior prior to the caregiver's action. Positive instructions are moderately associated with the onset of collaboration in residents with preserved language abilities. However, for residents with severe language impairment, these same instructions were linked to RTC behaviors.

CONCLUSIONS

Although antecedents to RTC can be identified, the risk that caregiver behaviors trigger resistive responses is higher when care recipients are already exhibiting RTC, and is low when no particular behavior or collaboration is shown. Antecedents to collaboration are also identified and discussed. Although different caregiver behaviors may be more or less likely to elicit resistiveness or collaboration, it is the pre-existing state of the care recipient that will determine its reaction to the caregiver's behavior. Clinical implications emerging from these influential findings are elaborated.

Nursing Assistants’ Communication Styles in Korean American Older Adults With Dementia

As ethnic diversity increases in the United States with the anticipated increase in dementia, it is critical to understand the implications of dementia and culturally appropriate communication for ethnic minority older adults with dementia. Utilizing the Ethno-Cultural Gerontological Nursing model and the Progressively Lowered Stress Threshold model, this article describes the relationship between nursing assistants’ communication style and behavioral symptoms of dementia, focused on Korean American older adults with dementia residing in nursing homes. The discussion includes reviewing currently available studies, nursing implications, and suggestions for future studies.

Effect of the bathing without a battle training intervention on bathing-associated physical and verbal outcomes in nursing home residents with dementia: a randomized crossover diffusion study

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effectiveness of the Bathing Without a Battle intervention in reducing physical and verbal aggressive behaviors for nursing home residents with dementia.

DESIGN

A randomized crossover diffusion study, with one group receiving the intervention after one round of baseline observations and a delayed intervention group receiving the intervention after two rounds of baseline observations.

SETTING

Six nursing home facilities in the state of New York.

PARTICIPANTS

Nursing home residents with dementia (N = 240).

INTERVENTION

The Bathing Without a Battle educational program, designed for direct-care staff members responsible for bathing residents diagnosed with dementia and implemented through a train-the-trainer model.

MEASUREMENTS

Rates of verbal and physical aggressive and agitated behaviors were measured using the Care Recipient Behavior Assessment; secondary measures of effect included bath duration, bath modality, and antipsychotic medication use.

RESULTS

In spite of implementation obstacles (consent delays and change in leadership at one facility), a significant change was observed in how residents were bathed that translated into a significant reduction in the rate of aggressive and agitated behaviors, particularly verbal, during residents' baths. The use of in-bed baths increased 17%, and average bath duration decreased significantly (average 1.5 minutes less) in the postintervention period, particularly for in-bed baths. Verbal behaviors declined 17.8% (P = .008), combined verbal and physical behaviors declined 18.6% (P = .004), and antipsychotic use declined 30% (P = .002) after the intervention.

CONCLUSION

The Bathing Without a Battle educational program, delivered through a train-the-trainer format, is an effective means of improving the bathing experience of residents with dementia in nursing homes. This research supports broadly adopting this intervention, especially for nursing homes serving many residents with dementia.

Verbal and physical aggression directed at nursing home staff by residents

CONTEXT

Little research has been conducted on aggression directed at staff by nursing home residents.

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the prevalence of resident-to-staff aggression (RSA) over a 2-week period.

DESIGN

Prevalent cohort study.

SETTING

Large urban nursing homes.

PARTICIPANTS

Population-based sample of 1,552 residents (80 % of eligible residents) and 282 certified nursing assistants.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Measures of resident characteristics and staff reports of physical, verbal, or sexual behaviors directed at staff by residents.

RESULTS

The staff response rate was 89 %. Staff reported that 15.6 % of residents directed aggressive behaviors toward them (2.8 % physical, 7.5 % verbal, 0.5 % sexual, and 4.8 % both verbal and physical). The most commonly reported type was verbal (12.4 %), particularly screaming at the certified nursing assistant (9.0 % of residents). Overall, physical aggression toward staff was reported for 7.6 % of residents, the most common being hitting (3.9 % of residents). Aggressive behaviors occurred most commonly in resident rooms (77.2 %) and in the morning (84.3 %), typically during the provision of morning care. In a logistic regression model, three clinical factors were significantly associated with resident-to-staff aggression: greater disordered behavior (OR = 6.48, 95 % CI: 4.55, 9.21), affective disturbance (OR = 2.29, 95 % CI: 1.68, 3.13), and need for activities of daily living morning assistance (OR = 2.16, 95 % CI: 1.53, 3.05). Hispanic (as contrasted with White) residents were less likely to be identified as aggressors toward staff (OR = 0.57, 95 % CI: 0.36, 0.91).

CONCLUSION

Resident-to-staff aggression in nursing homes is common, particularly during morning care. A variety of demographic and clinical factors was associated with resident-to-staff aggression; this could serve as the basis for evidence-based interventions. Because RSA may negatively affect the quality of care, resident and staff safety, and staff job satisfaction and turnover, further research is needed to understand its causes and consequences and to develop interventions to mitigate its potential impact.

No more fighting and biting during mouth care: applying the theoretical constructs of threat perception to clinical practice

The purpose of this article is to describe how the neurobiological principles of threat perception and fear response can support clinical approaches to prevent and reduce care-resistant behaviors during mouth care. Nursing home residents who exhibit care-resistant behavior are at risk for poor oral health because daily oral hygiene may not be consistently provided. Poor oral health predisposes these older people to systemic problems such as pneumonia, cerebral vascular accidents, and hyperglycemia. Care-resistant behavior is a fear-evoked response to nurses' unintentionally threatening behavior during mouth care. Nurses can safely and effectively provide mouth care to persons with dementia who resist care by using personalized combinations of 15 threat reduction strategies.

Effectiveness of Environment-Based Interventions for People With Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias

A systematic review of evidence for the efficacy of environment-based interventions on the affect, behavior, and performance of people with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias was conducted as part of the American Occupational Therapy Association’s Evidence-Based Literature Review Project. Thirty-three reports met inclusion criteria. Results suggest that ambient music, aromatherapy, and Snoezelen® are modestly effective in reducing agitation but do not consistently have long-term effects. Visually complex environments that give the illusion of barriers deter people from wandering to unsafe places but do not reduce the urge to wander. Evidence that bright light therapy can aid in regulating mood and the sleep–wake cycle and thus help people remain awake during the day is preliminary. Montessori-based programming can be useful in matching activities to the person’s remaining skills. Further research is needed to evaluate the long-term effect, contraindications, and best dosages of these interventions.

Effectiveness of Interventions Designed to Modify the Activity Demands of the Occupations of Self-Care and Leisure for People With Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias

A systematic review of evidence for the effectiveness of modification of activity demands in the care of people with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) was conducted as part of the American Occupational Therapy Association’s Evidence-Based Literature Review Project. The review included 10 articles addressing occupations of self-care and leisure. No reports related to work and social participation were located. Results suggest that evidence for this intervention’s effectiveness is strong. Four practice principles were derived from this appraisal: (1) Occupational therapy programs should be individualized to elicit the person’s highest level of retained skill and interest, (2) cues used while assisting people with AD to complete tasks should be short and provide clear direction, (3) compensatory strategies in the form of environmental modifications and simple adaptive equipment should be specifically implemented on the basis of the unique needs of the person, and (4) caregiver training and involvement are essential in implementing individualized programs.

Bathing residents with dementia in long-term care: critical incidents described by personal support workers

AIM AND OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to describe and gain insight into the critical incidents depicted by personal support workers (PSWs) in long-term care (LTC) related to bathing residents who have dementia.

BACKGROUND

Residents with dementia in LTC often display responsive/protective behaviours during bathing. Consequently, bathing is a source of stress for PSWs who provide most of the personal care for LTC residents in Ontario, Canada.

DESIGN

A qualitative descriptive study employing the critical incident technique (CIT) was used.

METHOD

Eight PSWs were interviewed and 24 incidents were collected and analyzed using thematic content analysis.

RESULTS

Findings revealed that PSWs experience the following during bathing: managing responsive/protective behaviours, working with limited resources, and dealing with communication difficulties. Participants used various strategies to respond to these challenges; however, they reported limited strategies to manage the most challenging behaviours.

CONCLUSIONS

Many of the bathing strategies described by the PSWs in this study are found in the literature about best bathing practices in dementia care. However, it is evident that further work is needed to support PSWs to manage the most difficult physical responsive/protective behaviours that occur during bathing.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

This study has clear implications for knowledge translation.

Workplace assaults on nursing assistants in US nursing homes: a multilevel analysis

OBJECTIVES

We examined risk factors for injuries to nursing assistants from assaults by nursing home residents at both the individual and the organizational level.

METHODS

We analyzed data from the 2004 National Nursing Assistant Survey that were linked to facility information from the 2004 National Nursing Home Survey by use of multilevel modeling that accounted for the complex survey design effect.

RESULTS

Thirty-four percent of nursing assistants surveyed reported experiencing physical injuries from residents' aggression in the previous year. Mandatory overtime (odds ratio [OR] = 1.65; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.22, 2.24) and not having enough time to assist residents with their activities of daily living (OR = 1.49; 95% CI = 1.25, 1.78) were strongly associated with experiencing injuries from assaults. Nursing assistants employed in nursing homes with Alzheimer care units were more likely to experience such injuries, including being bitten by residents.

CONCLUSIONS

Reducing mandatory overtime and having a less demanding workload may reduce the risk of workplace violence. In particular, prevention activities should be targeted at those nursing homes that care for cognitively impaired patients.

Elderspeak's influence on resistiveness to care: focus on behavioral events

Resistiveness to care (RTC) in older adults with dementia commonly disrupts nursing care. Research has found that elderspeak (infantilizing communication) use by nursing home (NH) staff increases the probability of RTC in older adults with dementia. The current analysis used general sequential querier (GSEQ) software to analyze behavior sequences of specific behavioral events. We found that older adults with dementia most frequently reacted to elderspeak communication by negative vocalizations (screaming or yelling, negative verbalizations, crying). Because negative vocalizations disrupt nursing care, reduction in elderspeak use by staff may reduce these behaviors thereby increasing the quality of care to these residents. The results clearly demonstrate that sequential analysis of behavioral events is a useful tool in examining complex communicative interactions and targeting specific problem behaviors.

Aggression in persons with dementia: use of nursing theory to guide clinical practice

With approximately four million people in the United States today diagnosed with dementia, one of the most devastating problems faced by caregivers and patients is dealing with aggressive behavior. Aggression occurs in half of persons diagnosed with dementia and is associated with more rapid cognitive decline, increased risk of abuse, and caregiver burden. This paper uses the Need-driven Dementia-compromised Behavior (NDB) model to explain aggression and discusses therapeutic approaches to care that combines non-pharmacological and pharmacological interventions targeting both the management of aggression crisis and preventing its future recurrence. A clinical algorithm guided by the NBD model is provided for practitioners.

Elderspeak communication: impact on dementia care

Resistiveness to care is common in older adults with dementia. Resistiveness to care disrupts nursing care, increasing costs of care by 30%. Elderspeak (infantilizing communication used by nursing staff) may trigger resistiveness to care in individuals with dementia. Videotaped care episodes (n = 80) of nursing home residents with dementia (n = 20) were coded for type of staff communication (normal talk and elderspeak) and subsequent resident behavior (cooperative or resistive to care). Bayesian statistical analysis tested relationships between staff communication and subsequent resident resistiveness to care. The probability of resistiveness to care varied significantly with communication (Bayes P = .0082). An increased probability of resistiveness to care occurred with elderspeak (.55, 95% CrI, .44-.66), compared with normal talk (.26, 95% CrI, .12-.44). Communication training has been shown to reduce elderspeak and may reduce resistiveness to care in future research.

Facteurs liés aux épisodes violents dans les soins

INTRODUCTION

The respective roles of medical specialties and work organization on violent events against healthcare workers (HCW) in different countries was examined.

METHODS

Using the results of the Presst-Next study, we analyzed data from 27134 HCW in 7 European countries. Multivariate logistic analyses were conducted with SPSS 12 software.

RESULTS

After adjustment for age, gender and other occupational risk factors, the factors indicating insufficient team work were highly associated with an increased risk of violent events. Dissatisfaction with shift change (OR=1.35; 95%CI 1.23-1.47), uncertainty about treatment (OR=1.57; 95%CI 1 .44-1.71), and frequent interruptions (OR=2.04; 95%CI 1.81-2.31) were linked to violent events, up to twice the number among HCW reporting better team work. Contradictory orders, dissatisfaction with psychological support, and harassment by superiors were all significantly associated with increased reporting of frequent violent events. We observed a positive gradient between violent events and job demand (time pressure) (OR=1.25 for an intermediate score and OR=1.55 for a high score, compared with a low score). Loneliness at work, certain work schedules, and physical load increased the risk. Nurses' aides were exposed to violent events more often (OR=1.57; 95%CI 1.38-1.79) than head nurses. Older HCW and those with more experience were less exposed. The highest risks were associated with working in psychiatric (OR=4.89; 95%CI 3.82-6.25) and emergency (OR=2.68; 95%CI 2.10-3.44) departments, compared with home care and day care. The excess risk was an additional 30% in geriatrics and long-stay departments. Significantly less risk was observed in pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology departments (OR=0.70; 95%CI 0.56-0.88).

CONCLUSION

Team building requires time, and shift change is a key period. This time is far from nonproductive. Rather, its effective use reduces treatment errors, enhances quality of care, and reduces the frequency of violent events. It is crucial in every department.

Aggressive behaviour by people with dementia in residential care settings: a review

This paper considers the phenomenon of aggressive behaviour perpetrated by people with dementia in residential care settings. Aggressive behaviour is defined in the context of people with dementia, and the problem of ascertaining the incidence of aggression among people with dementia is discussed. The emotional impact of assaults on nurses and other professionals is highlighted, and differing perspectives on the causation of aggressive behaviour are considered. Management strategies derived from the physical/pharmacological; environment management; behaviour modification and person-centred approaches are reviewed. Our conclusion is that while certain strategies appear to reflect good and common sense practice, in particular those deriving from the person-centred approach, there is no clear research evidence for the general effectiveness of any one management approach, and each has drawbacks of a practical or ethical nature. There is also little empirical information about how professional carers actually manage aggressive behaviour in practice.