Feasibility of Group-Based Multiple Virtual Reality Sessions to Reduce Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms in Persons Living in Residential Aged Care

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel E. Brimelow ◽  
Karthick Thangavelu ◽  
Romana Beattie ◽  
Nadeeka N. Dissanayaka
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Psychological Symptoms ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Residential Aged Care ◽  
Behavioral And Psychological Symptoms

Investigating the current methods of assessing behavioral and psychological symptoms in residential aged care facilities in a metropolitan city

2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 855-858 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samantha M. Loi ◽  
Nicola T. Lautenschlager
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Symptoms ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Residential Aged Care ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Major Barrier ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Aged Care Facilities ◽  
Residential Aged Care Facilities ◽  
Behavioral And Psychological Symptoms

ABSTRACTUp to 90% of people with dementia living in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) display behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), and these are associated with poorer quality of life and increased morbidity and mortality. In order to implement appropriate interventions, it is important to understand the symptoms in more detail. Despite the availability of BPSD assessment tools, it is unknown what the current practice of monitoring of BPSD in RACFs. We sought to investigate the current BPSD assessment tools being used in RACFs and explore different stakeholders’ views on current practices. A cross-sectional convenience sample of 21 clinicians were identified and administered a questionnaire.Old age psychiatrists, aged psychiatry clinicians, behavior management teams and RACF staff completed the questionnaires. Clinicians reported that objective consistent information about BPSD were important for recommending and implementing pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies for BPSD; however, the use of validated BPSD assessments in RACFs was not a usual part of clinical practice. RACF staff stated the major barrier to assessment of BPSD was lack of time. Alternate methods of assessing BPSD which consider preferences from clinicians and RACF staff should be further investigated. Modern technology which can allow “real time” assessment may be a solution.

scholarly journals 303 - Residential aged care staff’s perception of and response to behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia – a qualitative analysis of clinical care notes

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (S1) ◽  
pp. 61-61
Author(s):  
Willem S. Eikelboom ◽  
Jana Koch ◽  
Elizabeth Beattie ◽  
Nicola Lautenschlager ◽  
Colleen Doyle ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Psychological Symptoms ◽  
Clinical Care ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Internalizing Behaviors ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Residential Aged Care ◽  
Structured Care ◽  
The One ◽  
Behavioral And Psychological Symptoms

Background:Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) are very prevalent among individuals with dementia living in residential aged care. The development and implementation of new non-pharmacological interventions to reduce BPSD requires knowledge on the current perception and clinical practice of the care staff. We analyzed clinical care notes to examine the way residential aged care staff reported and managed BPSD in their daily clinical practice.Methods:We examined semi-structured care notes relating to the presentation and management of behaviors of 76 older residents (67% female; aged 67-101; 75% with formal dementia diagnosis) prior to participating in the Australian BPSDPLUS Program. As part of standard clinical practice in three residential aged care facilities, staff document the presentation and management of behaviors amongst residents. Using an inductive thematic analytical approach, we analyzed the reported data in the one and a half months prior to commencing participation in the BPSDPLUS Program. Care notes were coded and analyzed by two independent assessors and they discussed themes until consensus was reached.Results:A total of 465 behavior charts were completed in the one and a half months prior to the commencement of the BPSDPLUS Program. The number of behavioral charts varied widely across residents (Mean=7.3, range 0–93). Behaviors such as refusal of care, repetitive verbal behaviors, and wandering were most often mentioned, while apathy and affective and psychotic symptoms were seldomly reported. When confronted with BPSD, the clinical care notes indicated that care staff tend to respond in a reactive manner by reassuring, redirecting, or distracting the resident. Furthermore, it seems that staff did not routinely investigate potential underlying causes of the BPSD.Conclusions:These results suggest that the residential care staff primarily detected and responded to externalizing behaviors, while more internalizing behaviors were not reported. Potential underrecognition of internalizing behaviors, as well as the fact that the staff did not routinely examine causes of BPSD are vital observations for the development and implementation of nonpharmacological interventions and care programs targeting BPSD in residential aged care.

scholarly journals Developing a virtual reality for people with dementia in nursing homes based on their psychological needs: a feasibility study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jung-Hee Kim ◽  
Seonmin Park ◽  
Hyeongji Lim
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Nursing Homes ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Psychological Symptoms ◽  
Likert Scale ◽  
Psychological Needs ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Behavioral And Psychological Symptoms

Abstract Background The purpose of this study was (1) to develop a virtual reality (VR) intervention program based on the psychological needs of patients residing in nursing facilities in South Korea to alleviate their behavioral and psychological symptoms and (2) to confirm the possibility of utilizing VR in patients with dementia. Methods In the first phase, patients with dementia residing in nursing homes and experiencing behavioral and psychological symptoms were recruited. Surveys and questionnaires were used to identify activities that alleviated the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) among the patients. These activities were classified into five types of psychological needs. In the second phase, a fully immersive, interactive, easy-to-use VR platform was developed that reflected these psychological needs. Patients with dementia experienced the VR content. The researchers assessed the level of the participants’ immersion, preference, and interaction with the VR using a 5-point Likert scale. Results In the feasibility test, 10 nursing home residents were recruited. The mean immersion score was 4.93 ± 0.16 points, the mean preference score was 4.35 ± 0.41 points, and the mean interaction score was 3.84 ± 0.43 points using a 5-point Likert scale. Higher mean scores indicated a more positive outcome. Six of the 10 participants required assistance while using the VR. The mean VR experience duration was 10.00 ± 3.46 min. Conclusions The VR-based intervention program that was developed to reduce BPSD was feasible for the participants and provided them with a high degree of satisfaction and immersion. Furthermore, this study also confirmed the convenience and safety of the program. These findings support the potential use of VR-based BPSD intervention programs to treat patients with dementia.

scholarly journals Virtual reality intervention to improve apathy in residential aged care: protocol for a multisite non-randomised controlled trial

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. e046030
Author(s):  
Dimitrios Saredakis ◽  
Hannah A D Keage ◽  
Megan Corlis ◽  
Tobias Loetscher
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Passive Control ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Residential Aged Care ◽  
Laptop Computer ◽  
Reminiscence Therapy ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Secondary Outcomes

IntroductionApathy is a prevalent neuropsychiatric symptom for older adults residing in aged care. Left untreated, apathy has been associated with accelerated cognitive decline and increased risk of mortality. Reminiscence therapy is commonly used in aged care and has demonstrated to reduce apathy. Traditional methods of reminiscence use physical objects and more recently technology including tablets and laptop computers have demonstrated potential. Virtual reality (VR) has successfully been used to treat psychological disorders; however, there is little evidence on using VR for behavioural symptoms such as apathy in older adults. Using VR to deliver reminiscence therapy provides an immersive experience, and readily available applications provide access to a large range of content allowing easier delivery of therapy over traditional forms of therapy. This study aims to identify changes in apathy after a reminiscence therapy intervention using head-mounted displays (HMDs).Methods and analysisParticipants will be allocated to one of three groups; reminiscence therapy using VR; an active control using a laptop computer or physical items and a passive control. A total of 45 participants will be recruited from residential aged care (15 in each group). The three groups will be compared at baseline and follow-up. The primary outcome is apathy, and secondary outcomes include cognition and depression. Side effects from using HMDs will also be examined in the VR group. Primary and secondary outcomes at baseline and follow-up will be analysed using linear mixed modelling.Ethics and disseminationEthics approval was obtained from the University of South Australia Human Research Ethics Committee. The results from this study will be disseminated through manuscript publications and national/international conferences.Trial registration numberACTRN12619001510134.

Pharmacist-Initiated Management of a Suspected Case of Risperidone-Induced Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome in an Aged-Care Resident. The Role of Residential Medication Management Reviews in Medication Safety

2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 382-385 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Morcos ◽  
Jonathan Corns ◽  
Jodie Belinda Hillen
Keyword(s):  
Medication Safety ◽  
Psychological Symptoms ◽  
Medication Management ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Suspected Case ◽  
Medication Reviews ◽  
Behavioral And Psychological Symptoms ◽  
Valuable Role

A 70-year-old female aged-care resident was referred by her general practitioner for a residential medication management review after nurses reported difficulties with swallowing, episodes of hyperthermia, elevated blood pressure, and tachycardia. These symptoms were accompanied by increasing confusion and drowsiness. Risperidone had recently been prescribed to treat behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. This case study describes the pharmacist-initiated management of the symptoms through a national medication review program. It demonstrates the valuable role collaborative medication reviews play in managing adverse drug reactions in aged-care.

Evaluating the use of interactive virtual reality technology with older adults living in residential aged care

2020 ◽  
Vol 57 (3) ◽  
pp. 102105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven Baker ◽  
Jenny Waycott ◽  
Elena Robertson ◽  
Romina Carrasco ◽  
Barbara Barbosa Neves ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Residential Aged Care ◽  
Virtual Reality Technology

Animal-assisted therapy for dementia: a review of the literature

2006 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 597-611 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan L. Filan ◽  
Robert H. Llewellyn-Jones
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Symptoms ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Animal Assisted Therapy ◽  
Residential Aged Care ◽  
Pet Dogs ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Aged Care Facilities ◽  
Residential Aged Care Facilities ◽  
Potential Benefits

Background: Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is gaining popularity as part of therapy programs in residential aged care facilities. Humans and pet dogs respond to quiet interaction with a lowering of blood pressure and an increase in neuroche-micals associated with relaxation and bonding. These effects may be of benefit in ameliorating behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD).Methods: Medline, PsychInfo and CINAHL databases (1960–2005) were searched for papers on AAT or pets and dementia. Publications of controlled trials that measured the effect of AAT for dementia were reviewed.Results: Several small studies suggest that the presence of a dog reduces aggression and agitation, as well as promoting social behavior in people with dementia. One study has shown that aquaria in dining rooms of dementia care units stimulate residents to eat more of their meals and to gain weight but is limited by the small number of facilities studied. There is preliminary evidence that robotic pets may provide pleasure and interest to people with dementia.Conclusions: Current literature suggests that AAT may ameliorate BPSD, but the duration of the beneficial effect has not been explored. The relative benefits of “resident” versus “visiting” pet dogs are unclear and are confounded by the positive effect of pet interaction on staff or caregivers. Further research on the potential benefits of AAT is recommended.

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