A case study on the effects of a retrofitted dementia special care unit on resident behaviors

Abstract

The need to demonstrate the efficacy of special care units (SCUs) is of primary concern to consumers who increasingly demand accountability for health delivery services. The present study describes the characteristics of a SCU and measures the effects on resident outcomes using an ex-post facto design. Fifteen residents diagnosed with dementia were evaluated on five variables-combativeness, falls, restraint use, weight, and ADL skills-before and after admission to the SCU. The results of paired T-tests revealed that restraint use significantly decreased (p < .05) and activities of daily living (ADL) skills significantly increased (p < .01). An increase in falls was near significance. No change was found in weight or combativeness.