Hostname: page-component-8448b6f56d-t5pn6 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-25T01:48:07.763Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The potential of volunteers to implement non-pharmacological interventions to reduce agitation associated with dementia in nursing home residents

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 May 2012

Eva S. van der Ploeg ,
Tapiwa Mbakile ,
Sandra Genovesi  and
Daniel W. O'Connor
Eva S. van der Ploeg*
Affiliation:
Aged Mental Health Research Unit, Monash University, Cheltenham, Victoria, Australia
Tapiwa Mbakile
Affiliation:
Aged Mental Health Research Unit, Monash University, Cheltenham, Victoria, Australia
Sandra Genovesi
Affiliation:
Aged Mental Health Research Unit, Monash University, Cheltenham, Victoria, Australia
Daniel W. O'Connor
Affiliation:
Aged Mental Health Research Unit, Monash University, Cheltenham, Victoria, Australia
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Dr Eva S. van der Ploeg, Aged Mental Health Research Unit, Monash University, Kingston Centre, Warrigal Road, Cheltenham, Victoria 3192, Australia. Phone: +61-3-9265-1707; Fax: +61-3-9265-1711. Email: Eva.vanderPloeg@monash.edu.
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Background: Advanced dementia may be accompanied by behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). BPSD stemming from pain, depression, or psychosis benefit from treatment with drugs, but in other cases, medications have limited efficacy and may elicit adverse effects. Therefore, more attention has been paid to non-pharmacological interventions, which have fewer risks and can be successful in reducing agitation and negative mood. However, these interventions are frequently not implemented in nursing homes due to staffing constraints. This study explores the potential of volunteers to further assist staff.

Methods: We interviewed 18 staff members and 39 volunteers in 17 aged care facilities in southeast Melbourne, Australia.

Results: Three-quarters of the facilities in this region worked with at least one regular volunteer. Both self-interest and altruistic reasons were identified as motives for volunteering. Volunteers were perceived by facility representatives as helpful to residents through provision of stimulation and company. However, they were discouraged from engaging with individuals with prominent BPSD. A majority of facility representatives and volunteers had experienced some difficulties in negotiating working relationships but most were easily resolved. A large majority of volunteers expressed an interest in learning new methods of interacting with residents.

Conclusion: Despite their beneficial effects for agitated residents, non-pharmacological interventions are often not implemented in aged care facilities. Staff members often lack time but current volunteers in the sector are available, experienced, and interested in learning new methods of interacting. Volunteers therefore potentially are a valuable resource to assist with the application of new treatments.

Keywords

aged carevoluntary workBPSDpsychosocial interventions
Type
Research Article
Information
International Psychogeriatrics , Volume 24 , Issue 11 , November 2012 , pp. 1790 - 1797
Copyright
Copyright © International Psychogeriatric Association 2012

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Alzheimer's Disease International (2009). World Alzheimer Report. London: Alzheimer's Disease International.Google Scholar
Australian Bureau of Statistics (2006). Voluntary Work, Australia. Canberra: Australian Bureau of Statistics.Google Scholar
Ballard, C. and Corbett, A. (2010). Management of neuropsychiatric symptoms in people with dementia. CNS Drugs, 24, 729–739.Google ScholarPubMed
Berry, P. and Planalp, S. (2009). Ethical issues for hospice volunteers. American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, 25, 458–462.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Brodaty, H. et al. (2001). Psychosis, depression and behavioral disturbances in Sydney nursing home residents: prevalence and predictors. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 16, 504–512.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bureau of Labor Statistics (2010). Volunteering in the United States – 2010. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Labor.Google Scholar
Clary, E. G. and Snyder, M. (1999). The motivations to volunteer: theoretical and practical considerations. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 8, 156–159.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Claxton-Oldfield, S. and Banzen, Y. (2010). Personality characteristics of hospice palliative care volunteers: the “big five” and empathy. American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, 27, 407–412.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Cohen-Mansfield, J. and Jensen, B. (2008a). Assessment and treatment approaches for behavioral disturbances associated with dementia in the nursing home: self-reports of physicians’ practices. JAMA, 295, 2148–2157.Google Scholar
Cohen-Mansfield, J. and Jensen, B. (2008b). Physicians’ perceptions of their role in treating dementia-related behavior problems in the nursing home: actual practice and the ideal. Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, 9, 552–557.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Damianakis, T., Wagner, L. M., Bernstein, S. and Marziali, E. (2007). Volunteers’ experiences visiting the cognitively impaired in nursing homes: a friendly visiting program. Canadian Journal on Aging, 26, 343–356.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Garland, K., Beer, E., Eppingstall, B. and O'Connor, D. W. (2007). A comparison of two treatments of agitated behavior in nursing home residents with behavior: simulated family presence and preferred music. American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 15, 514–521.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gauthier, S. et al. (2010). Management of behavioural problems in Alzheimer's disease. International Psychogeriatrics, 22, 346–372.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gerdner, L. A. (2000). Effects of individualized versus classical “relaxation” music on the frequency of agitation in elderly persons with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders. International Psychogeriatrics, 12, 49–65.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Gottlieb, B. H. and Gillespie, A. A. (2008). Volunteerism, health, and civic engagement among older adults. Canadian Journal on Aging, 27, 399–406.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Grassel, E. and Schirmer, B. (2006). Freiwillige helferinnen und helfer zur entlastung der angehorigen demenzekranker menschen. Zeitschrift for Gerontologie und Geriatrie, 39, 217–226.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Guirguis-Younger, M. and Grafanaki, S. (2008). Narrative accounts of volunteers in palliative care settings. American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, 25, 16–23.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Knapp, M. and Prince, M. (2007). Dementia UK: The Full Report. London: Alzheimer's Society.Google Scholar
Kong, E. H., Evans, L. K. and Guevara, J. P. (2009). Nonpharmacological intervention for agitation in dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Aging and Mental Health, 13, 512–520.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lin, L. C., Yang, M. H., Kao, C. C., Wu, S. C., Tang, S. H. and Lin, J. G. (2009). Using acupressure and Montessori-based activities to decrease agitation for residents in dementia: a cross-over trial. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 57, 1022–1029.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Macdonald, A. and Cooper, B. (2007). Long-term care and dementia services: an impending crisis. Age and Ageing, 36, 16–22.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
O'Connor, D. W., Ames, D., Gardner, B. and King, M. (2009a). Psychosocial treatments of behavior symptoms in dementia: a systematic review of reports meeting quality standards. International Psychogeriatrics, 21, 225–240.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
O'Connor, D. W., Ames, D., Gardner, B. and King, M. (2009b). Psychosocial treatments of psychological symptoms in dementia: a systematic review of reports meeting quality standards. International Psychogeriatrics, 21, 241–251.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Orsulic-Jeras, S., Judge, K. S. and Camp, C. J. (2000). Montessori-based activities for long-term care residents with advanced dementia: effects on engagement and affect. Gerontologist, 40, 107–111.Google ScholarPubMed
Perkins, A. J. et al. (2002). Risk of mortality for dementia in a developing country: the Yoruba in Nigeria. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 17, 566–573.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Pope, C., Ziebland, S. and Mays, N. (2000). Analysing qualitative data. BMJ, 320, 114–116.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Robinson, K. M. and Clemons, J. W. (1999). Respite care: volunteers as providers. Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 37, 30–35.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Rothstein, J. M. (1994). Ethical challenges to the palliative care volunteer. Journal of Palliative Care, 10, 79–82.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Schneider, L. S., Dagerman, K. and Insel, P. S. (2006). Efficacy and adverse effects of atypical antipsychotics for dementia: meta-analysis of randomized, placebo-controlled trials. American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 14, 191–210.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
van der Ploeg, E. S. and O'Connor, D. W. (2010). Evaluation of personalized, one-on-one interaction using Montessori-type activities as a treatment of challenging behaviors in people with dementia: the study protocol of a crossover trial. BMC Geriatrics, 10.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Volunteering England (2008). Volunteering England Information Sheet: National Statistics. London: Volunteering England.Google Scholar
White, M. D. and Marsh, E. E. (2006). Content analysis: a flexible methodology. Library Trends, 55, 22–45.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
World Health Organization (2004). Global Burden of Disease 2004 Update: Disability Weights for Diseases and Conditions. Geneva: World Health Organization.Google Scholar