This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Yury, C. A. Articles by Fisher, J. E. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                   What's this?

Preventing Excess Disability in an Elderly Person With Alzheimer's Disease

University of Nevada, Reno

Jane E. Fisher

University of Nevada, Reno

Staff of an adult day treatment facility reported that a client diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease was exhibiting physical and verbal aggression toward other clients. Direct observation of the client's interactions at the adult day treatment facility revealed that she was neither physically nor verbally abusive but was assertive and used a cane to access social attention. Treatment consisted of three in-service trainings during which staff received information about the symptomatology of dementia, environmental factors contributing to excess disability, and the importance of environmental support for maintaining adaptive behavior in persons with dementia. Results indicate that staff perceived verbal behavior less negatively, and allowed the client to interact with others at a significantly increased frequency.

Key Words: excess disability • staff training • Alzheimer's disease • dementia

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?