A survey of the frequency and impact of Behaviours of Concern in dementia on residential aged care staff

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate staff perceptions of the frequency of Behaviours of Concern (BoC) exhibited by residents with dementia; to rank order the BoC causing most disruption to the everyday running of facilities, and the most personal distress to staff. Methods: A cross‐sectional survey was conducted in 2005, across staff in 15 residential aged care facilities in Tasmania, using a self‐administered questionnaire. Results: Over 80% of staff reported residents’ repetitive actions, wandering and verbal disruption as occurring more than once a day BoC. The three highest ranked BoC reported as being the most disruptive to the running of the unit were verbal disruption, wandering and repetitive actions. Residents’ physical aggression, verbal disruptions and wandering were ranked 1, 2 and 3, respectively, as causing staff the most personal distress. Conclusions: Although occurring infrequently physical aggression is the BoC perceived by staff to cause them the greatest amount of personal distress.

Inappropriate sexual behaviour and dementia: An exploration of staff experiences

“…Furthermore, most participants did not experience ISB as acceptable, rather they accepted it as part of patient presentation. Rather than the dichotomising articulated by Cubit et al (2007), these findings suggest that minimisation is an integrated means of protecting staff, allowing them to fulfil their duties, though concern was expressed regarding the potential for complacency, which could endanger staff and patients.…”

“…Sixty-three percent of staff working in aged care facilities (N=259) reported ISB occurring once a week or more with 9% experiencing it more than once a day (Cubit, Farrell, Robinson & Myhill, 2007 …”

“…They described participants reporting distress yet they simultaneously demonstrated "empathic acceptance". Cubit et al (2007) subsequently reasoned that this communicated a sufficient knowledge base of dementia or that staff "objectified" behaviours that essentially stopped staff from formulating problematic behaviours. Similarly, participants in this study who experienced distress contextualised and minimised ISB.…”

“…The influence of age on response has been noted in relation to aggression and sexual expression and linked with experience (Bouman, Arlecus & Benbow, 2007;Cubit et al, 2007;Nakahira, Moyle, Creedy & Hitomi, 2008;. However, studies fail to adequately comment about age and furthermore, do not provide clear information regarding gender.…”

“Behind Closed Doors with open minds?”: A qualitative study exploring nursing home staff’s narratives towards their roles and duties within the context of sexuality in dementia

“…Some studies suggest the prevalence of inappropriate sexual behaviours (ISB) amongst residents with dementia is relatively low (Alagiakrishnan et al, 2005;ILCUK, 2011;Series & Degano, 2005), but others claim that their prevalence and impact are substantial (Cubit et al, 2007;Lonergan et al, 2002;Scott et al, 2002). ISB is often seen as a part of the symptom cluster of behavioral and psychiatric disturbances associated with dementia, which is often disruptive and distressing for both patient and their carers (Johnson, Knight & Alderman, 2006).…”