Purpose: Behavioral symptoms in dementia (BSD) are one of the most disturbing behaviors to caregivers and a major reason for nursing home placement. Behavioral symptoms are often treated with psychotropic drugs (PD), however, the effect of such drugs for the frail elderly dementia patient is not certain because of their critical adverse effects. Theoretical model applicable to nursing practice for BSD in nursing homes, which is essential in guiding and evaluating such interventions, is absent. This article presents the process of developing a theoretical model of BSD in nursing homes.
Method: Using Walker and Avants’ theory synthesis method, three behavior models and two system models were incorporated into the proposed model to provide the theoretical and analytical explanation of the relationships between PD usage, its determinants, and BSD.
Results: Resident variables and nursing home variables related to the two focal concepts (i.e., PD usage and BSD) were identified. Resident variables include demographical characteristics such as age and gender, and dementia- compromised functions such as cognitive and functional impairment. Nursing home variables include facility characteristics such as ownership type and size, and physical and psychosocial environment.
Conclusion: The proposed model suggests that fulfillment of resident unmet needs through improvement of physical and psychosocial environment may produce better health outcomes of nursing home residents with BSD. Assessment and intervening environmental triggers of such behaviors are also suggested to be prior to the PD usage.
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