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

• 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
• ISSN: 1533-3175; 1938-2731
• DOI: 10.1177/1533317512467678

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%.