Abstract
The objective of this study was to test whether an intervention to reduce noise in an Alzheimer boarding home lowers patient levels of agitation. Hourly behaviors were observed and recorded by nursing staff one week prior to and one week during institution of a 'quiet week' protocol. The changes included lowering voices and reducing fast movements by staff, relocating the entrance out of residents' view, and not using television or playing piano. A sample of 11 of 28 residents of the home was selected to represent three general levels of overall agitation. The number of frantic/violent' behavior observations declined from 38 to 19; overall, there was an average reduction in 'non-calm' sampled observations of 0.441 per day per resident (paired t-test, t = 2.318, 10 df p < .043). Interviews with staff indicated that stafffelt some of the 28 residents definitely benefittedfrom the reduced noise levels while theyfelt others appeared to miss the activity and noise.
Results suggest that alterations in staff behavior and facility design can influence agitation levels of Alzheimer patients, but effects are not uniform across patients. Continued research is needed to help identify effective activities and care strategies as well as the most appropriate staffing levels and optimal design features of special care units.
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