Feasibility of the Tailored Activity Program for Hospitalized (TAP-H) Patients With Behavioral Symptoms

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Behavioral Medicine
• Hospital Administration

Background:

• Dementia patients admitted for behavioral disturbances often exhibit challenging symptoms.
• Standard hospital care may not adequately address the specific needs of these patients.
• Occupational therapy interventions can be adapted for inpatient settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility of implementing the Tailored Activity Program for Hospitals (TAP-H).
• To improve engagement in hospitalized dementia patients experiencing behavioral disturbances.
• To evaluate the program's impact on patient affect and behavior.

Main Methods:

• A time series design with behavioral observations (63 videotaped sessions) was employed.
• Occupational therapists delivered up to 11 tailored activity sessions per patient (N=20).
• Patient engagement, staff readiness (N=4), and family satisfaction (N=20) were recorded.

Main Results:

• Patients showed increased pleasure and positive gestures, with decreased anxiety/anger.
• High patient engagement was observed across treatment sessions.
• Staff readiness improved, and families reported high satisfaction, with 59.4% of activities used post-discharge.

Conclusions:

• The Tailored Activity Program for Hospitals (TAP-H) is a feasible collaborative care model for dementia patients.
• The program effectively improves affect and reduces negative behaviors in hospitalized patients.
• TAP-H integration into routine care and payment mechanisms warrants further investigation.