Functional analysis and evaluation of behavioural and environmental interventions designed to improved the lives of people with dementia

Summary

This program of research will evaluate behavioural and environmental interventions designed to enhance life engagement by persons with dementia living in residential care or with a family caregiver.

Supervisor(s)

Professor Mark R. Mathews

Research Location

Ageing and Human Development Research Group

Program Type

N/A

Synopsis

Dementia is the largest single contributor to the cost of care in nursing homes today, and the prevalence of dementia continues to increase at a much greater rate than both the total population and the older population. Dementia is associated with a decline in reasoning, memory, and other cognitive functioning that often results in challenging or disruptive behaviors such as agitation, aggression, repetitive questioning, and wandering. This decline also impairs the ability of the person to carry out many activities of daily living. The physical environment and well-meaning caregivers can exacerbate these behavioral excesses and deficits. Nursing home staff often ignores independent behaviors, but respond to dependent behaviors with enabling responses. This program of research is designed to evaluate a range of environmental redesign and staff training procedures that can help people with dementia engage in life and re-acquire a number of daily living.

Keywords

Functional analysis; behaviour change; residential and community care; dementia;, Behavioural & psychiatric disorders, Brain & nervous system disorders, Counselling & patient support, Neuroscience & psychology, Professional practice, Public health & social medicine

Opportunity ID

The opportunity ID for this research opportunity is: 184