Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 18, 2026
14:13
A Training Program Using an Agility Ladder for Community-Dwelling Older Adults
Published on: March 7, 2020
Managing agitated behaviour in older people.
1School of Nursing, University of Northern Colorado, United States. k9edcntr@comcast.net
Nursing Older People
|September 27, 2012
Summary
Agitated behaviour in dementia patients often signals unmet needs. Nurses can use sensory-based, evidence-based interventions to improve care quality and patient well-being.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Psychiatry
- Nursing Science
Background:
- Older adults with dementia present complex care needs, particularly those exhibiting agitated behaviors.
- Agitated behaviors in dementia patients can significantly challenge healthcare delivery.
- These behaviors are frequently indicative of underlying unmet needs in the elderly population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To define and classify agitated behaviors in older adults with dementia.
- To discuss the implications of agitated behaviors for healthcare management.
- To present evidence-based interventions for nurses to manage agitated behaviors, categorized by sensory input.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and synthesis of existing research on agitated behaviors in dementia.
- Classification of agitated behaviors based on established criteria.
- Identification and categorization of evidence-based nursing interventions targeting sensory pathways.
Main Results:
- Agitated behaviors are complex symptoms requiring a nuanced understanding of underlying causes.
- Effective management necessitates a shift towards addressing unmet needs rather than solely managing behavior.
- Evidence-based interventions, organized by the five senses, offer practical strategies for nurses.
Conclusions:
- Nurses require a thorough understanding of agitated behaviors' causes and effective management strategies.
- Applying evidence-based, sensory-focused interventions can enhance health, safety, and quality of life for dementia patients.
- Interventions tailored to sensory experiences provide a structured approach for nursing practice in dementia care.
Related Concept Videos
01:47Aggression
Humans engage in aggression when they seek to cause harm or pain to another person. Aggression takes two forms depending on one’s motives: hostile or instrumental. Hostile aggression is motivated by feelings of anger with intent to cause pain; a fight in a bar with a stranger is an example of hostile aggression. In contrast, instrumental aggression is motivated by achieving a goal and does not necessarily involve intent to cause pain (Berkowitz, 1993); a contract killer who murders for hire...
01:15Drug Dosing: Geriatric Patients
Elderly individuals encompass a diverse population with varying degrees of age-related physiological changes. Defining the elderly presents challenges, as the geriatric population is often arbitrarily categorized as individuals older than 65. However, many individuals in this group lead active and healthy lives, with an increasing number surpassing 85 years and falling into the older elderly category. Physiological changes associated with aging impact performance capacity and homeostatic...
01:24Parkinson's Disease: Treatment
Neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's Disease (PD), involve the gradual and irreversible destruction of neurons in particular brain areas. These disorders exhibit standard features like proteinopathies, selective vulnerability of some neurons, and an interaction of intrinsic properties, genetics, and environmental influences in neural injury.
Parkinson's Disease is primarily a result of the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. The cornerstone of its...
Parkinson's Disease is primarily a result of the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. The cornerstone of its...
01:24Operant Conditioning Intervention
Operant conditioning serves as a foundational principle in therapeutic interventions aimed at modifying maladaptive behaviors. Central to this approach is the notion that behaviors, both adaptive and maladaptive, are learned through reinforcement. By analyzing the environmental factors that reinforce problematic behaviors, clinicians can design interventions to weaken these reinforcements and replace maladaptive behaviors with healthier alternatives.
In operant conditioning, behaviors that are...
In operant conditioning, behaviors that are...
01:22Alzheimer's Disease: Treatment
Alzheimer's Disease (AD), a neurodegenerative disorder, is pathologically identified by amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles composed of tau protein. AD pharmacotherapy aims to manage cognitive symptoms, delay disease progression, and treat behavioral symptoms. The treatment is primarily symptomatic and palliative, with no definitive disease-modifying therapy available. Cholinesterase inhibitors, including donepezil (Aricept), rivastigmine (Exelon), and galantamine (Razadyne), are...
01:25Dysrhythmias VII: Nursing Management of Dysrhythmias
Nursing management of dysrhythmias involves the following:AssessmentSubjective Assessment:The initial step involves gathering patient-reported symptoms such as dizziness, palpitations, and chest discomfort. It is crucial to collect a detailed history, including previous heart conditions, current medication use, and lifestyle factors like caffeine and alcohol consumption.Objective Assessment:This involves observing clinical signs such as jugular venous distention, cool and pale skin, and...