Modification of verbal behavior of the mentally impaired elderly by their spouses

Speaking disorders frequently result in serious consequences for mentally impaired elderly people. Two examples are presented illustrating the modification of both excess and deficit rates of talking via differential reinforcement procedures. Two men exhibiting verbal disorders severe enough to impair social interactions and lead to possible nursing home placement were treated by teaching their spouses to reinforce positive and ignore undesired verbal responses. Problem behaviors were reduced sufficiently to permit continued home care, and alternative positive behaviors were increased. These findings suggest that verbal behavior of the mentally impaired elderly can be affected by applying systematic consequences and can be modified by relatively simple procedures. These procedures provide an alternative to the negative effects of labels associated with either aversive or deficient verbal behaviors, promote more positive activities, and enable continued residence at home. Further, this research provides support for the generality of the utility of training spouses to serve as behavior therapists for the impaired elderly.