Disruptive, institutionalized elderly: a cost-effective intervention

Area of Science:

• Geriatric Medicine
• Psychiatric Nursing
• Behavioral Health

Background:

• Psychomotor agitation is a common and challenging symptom in patients within long-term care settings.
• Traditional management often relies on physical or chemical restraints, which carry significant risks.
• There is a need for evidence-based, non-pharmacological approaches to manage agitation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of a structured activity program in reducing psychomotor agitation.
• To explore the role of nurses as advocates for implementing restraint-free care strategies.
• To demonstrate that agitation can be managed without resorting to physical or chemical restraints.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of a structured activity program tailored to the needs of disruptive patients.
• Systematic observation and documentation of psychomotor agitation levels.
• Nurses' involvement in program design, implementation, and advocacy.

Main Results:

• Significant decrease in episodes of psychomotor agitation observed following the introduction of the structured activity program.
• Reduced reliance on physical and chemical restraints for managing agitated behaviors.
• Nurses reported increased confidence and empowerment in managing patient agitation.

Conclusions:

• Structured activity programs are effective in decreasing psychomotor agitation in disruptive patients.
• Non-pharmacological interventions offer a viable alternative to restraints in long-term care.
• Nurses are pivotal in advocating for and implementing patient-centered, restraint-free care models.