Observational data on time use and behavior problems in the nursing home

Author(s): Marx, M. S., Werner, P.

Journal/Book: J Appl Gerontol. 1992; 11: 111-21.

Abstract: A 3-month observational study of 24 agitated and severely cognitively impaired nursing home residents was conducted to document the typical ways in which residents spend their time and how time use relates to the manifestation of agitated behaviors. We found that these residents were involved in no activity during 63% of the observations. In addition, residents spent little time in structured activities (e.g., music therapy) or social activities (e.g., receiving visitors). Yet data analysis revealed that residents manifested a greater number of agitated behaviors when they were unoccupied and fewer agitated behaviors when involved in structured or social activities. We discuss implications for caregivers.

Keyword(s): Activities of Daily Living. Aged/psychology. Analysis of Variance. Data Collection. Female. Human. Leisure Activities. Male. Music Therapy. Nursing Homes/organization & administration/statistics & numerical data. Psychomotor Agitation/epidemiology. Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.. Time and Motion Studies. United States/epidemiology. Visitors to Patients/psychology/statistics & numerical data

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