An activity program for groups of 6 to 8 residents was implemented for 51 residents of 3 dementia
units. Nursing assistants, not the activity director, led the small group activities. Observations
across a 16-week period indicate that, after the program began, residents walked with others
more, sang more, frowned less, and were physically restrained less. In addition, psychotropic
medications were reduced for 7 of 20 who were on this type of medication. These results suggest
that an inexpensive small group activity program, ifused in conjunction with a supportive, caring
staff, is valuable in avoiding some excess disabilities of residents of special care units.
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