Application of Behavior-Based Ergonomics Therapies to Improve Quality of Life and Reduce Medication Usage for Alzheimer’s/Dementia Residents

Behavior-based ergonomics therapy (BBET) has been proposed in the past as a viable individualized non-pharmacological intervention to manage challenging behaviors and promote engagement among long-term care residents diagnosed with Alzheimer’s/dementia. We evaluate the effect of BBET on quality of l...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease & Other Dementias 2013-02, Vol.28 (1), p.35-41
Main Authors: Mowrey, Corinne, Parikh, Pratik J., Bharwani, Govind, Bharwani, Meena
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Alzheimer Disease - drug therapy
Alzheimer Disease - psychology
Alzheimer Disease - therapy
Behavior Therapy - instrumentation
Behavior Therapy - methods
Cohort Studies
Current Topics in Care
Ergonomics - psychology
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Hypnotics and Sedatives - therapeutic use
Long-Term Care - methods
Male
Motor Activity - physiology
Nursing Homes - organization & administration
Pilot Projects
Quality of Life - psychology
Retrospective Studies
Treatment Outcome
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Request full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Behavior-based ergonomics therapy (BBET) has been proposed in the past as a viable individualized non-pharmacological intervention to manage challenging behaviors and promote engagement among long-term care residents diagnosed with Alzheimer’s/dementia. We evaluate the effect of BBET on quality of life and behavioral medication usage in an 18-bed dementia care unit at a not-for-profit continuing care retirement community in West Central Ohio. Comparing a target cohort during the 6-month pre-implementation period with the 6-month post-implementation period, our study indicates that BBET appears to have a positive impact on the resident’s quality of life and also appears to correlate with behavioral medical reduction. For instance, the number of days with behavioral episodes decreased by 53%, the total Minimum Data Set (MDS) mood counts decreased by 70%, and the total MDS behavior counts decreased by 65%. From a medication usage standpoint, the number of pro re nata (PRN) Ativan doses decreased by 57%.
ISSN:1533-3175
1938-2731
DOI:10.1177/1533317512467678