Effective management of challenging behaviours in cognitively impaired aged care residents through a research-based nursing care model

Funding: 2004: $22,500
2005: $45,000
2006: $22,500

Project Member(s): Stein-Parbury, M.

Funding or Partner Organisation: Australian Research Council (ARC Linkage Projects)
New England Area Health Service
Wesley Gardens Aged Care
South Eastern Sydney Area Health Service (Health & Ageing Research Unit) (South Eastern Sydney Area Health Service)

Start year: 2005

Summary: Challenging behaviours associated with cognitive impairment, such as screaming and perseveration, marks a decisive turning point in the life situation for an older person, heralding a deterioration in their quality of life and placement in an aged care facility. Staff can promote the residents health and well-being through person-centred care approaches. The study employs Dementia Care Mapping to achieve these goals for the resident through participatory action research. The expected outcomes are a significant reduction in contextual factors that trigger these challenging behaviours, an improvement in the residents health, well-being and quality of life, and increased knowledge, skills and empowerment in staff.

Keywords: Dementia management, Action research approach, Promoting well being, Preventing deterioration of health, Residential aged care, Professional empowerment,

FOR Codes: Residential Client Care, Health Promotion, Clinical Nursing: Tertiary (Rehabilitative), Health related to ageing, Nervous system and disorders, Health education and promotion, Sub-acute care, Clinical health, Specific population health (excl. Indigenous health), Evaluation of health and support services