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High versus Low Density Special Care Units: Impact on the Behaviour of Elderly Residents with Dementia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 November 2010

Debra G. Morgan  and
Norma J. Stewart
Debra G. Morgan
Affiliation:
University of Saskatchewan
Norma J. Stewart
Affiliation:
University of Saskatchewan
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Abstract

The opening of a new Special Care Unit provided the opportunity to study the effect of reduced social density (fewer residents) and spatial density (more area per person) on the behaviour of residents with dementia. Two groups (N = 64) were observed at three periods spaced six months apart. As hypothesized, there was a greater improvement in Disruptive and Nondisruptive behaviour in the experimental group (move from high to low density) compared to the comparison group (constant high density). Findings suggest that unit density is an important determinant of behaviour in elderly residents with dementia.

Résumé

L'ouverture d'une nouvelle unité de soins spéciaux a permis d'étudier l'effet de la densité sociale réduite (moins de résidents) et de la densité spatiale (plus d'espace par personne) sur le comportement de résidents avec démence. Deux groupes (N = 64) ont été observés pendant trois périodes espacées de six mois chacune. Tel que théorisé, il y a eu plus d'amélioration dans le comportement perturbateur et non perturbateur du groupe expérimental (passant de haute à basse densité) par rapport au groupe de comparaison (haute densité constante). Les résultats indiquent que la densité de l'unité résidentielle est un déterminant important pour le comportement des résidents âgés avec démence.

Keywords

Long-Term CareDisruptive BehaviourDensity.Soins de longue duréecomportement perturbateurdensité.
Type
Articles
Information
Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement , Volume 17 , Issue 2 , Été/Summer 1998 , pp. 143 - 165
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association on Gerontology 1998

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