FOSTERING EFFECTIVE INTERACTION BETWEEN NURSING HOME STAFF AND RESIDENTS EXPERIENCING ALZHEIMER'S RELATED DEMENTIA (ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE, STAFF RESIDENT INTERACTIONS).
Contributors: University of Kansas.
Published: 1993
Number of pages: 203
Subjects: Social Work.; Health Sciences, Nursing.; Gerontology.
Description: This study was conducted to investigate the interactive processes which occur during one-on-one transactions between nursing home staff and residents experiencing Alzheimer's related dementia. Of particular interest were factors which promoted or inhibited therapeutic interactions designed to encourage constructive engagement of residents.

A qualitative research design permitted examination of interactions as they naturally and regularly occurred in one Alzheimer's special care unit in a midwestern city. Data collection included chart reviews, observations, and semistructured interviews over a nine-month period. Twenty-two staff members and twenty-nine residents participated in the research.

Over the course of the naturalistic inquiry, findings generated information about institutional factors which influence staff-resident interactions, the circumstances under which staff and residents initiate and engage in one-on-one interactions, staff approaches which affect transactions, knowledge development of staff, and processes by which staff develop ways of interacting with residents.

The study contributes to the knowledge base by expanding our understanding of the person-environment construct for nursing home residents experiencing Alzheimer's related dementia. Findings from this study suggest ways to improve the quality of care for this population. Theoretical implications are discussed around three themes: caring for the individual versus the collective, completing tasks versus interacting therapeutically, and solitary versus eclectic approaches to interaction. In addition, a model for effective interaction with residents experiencing Alzheimer's related dementia is proposed. Challenges are posed for social work practice, the nursing home industry, education and training, and research.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 54-09, Section: A, page: 3593.

Thesis (PH.D.)--UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS, 1993.

School code: 0099.