Reality orientation versus sheltered workshops as treatment for the institutionalized aging

The effects of two psychosocial treatments, Reality Orientation and Sheltered Workshops, were evaluated against an assessment-only control. Thirty nursing home residents (mean age, 64.4 years) were randomly assigned to one of two groups in one of the three experimental conditions. Residents assigned to therapy conditions met for 15 group sessions led by trained nursing home personnel. Program effects were assessed before and after treatment using three variables: the Life Satisfaction Index-A, nurses' ratings, and behavior observations. The Sheltered Workshop treatment produced significant gains in Life Satisfaction Index-A scores and staff perceived social interest; Reality Orientation resulted in nonsignificant decrements in Life Satisfaction Index-A scores. Neither treatment produced effects on observer-rated on-ward behavior. The results underscore the importance of empirically evaluating therapy effects with the institutionalized aging and suggest that Sheltered Workshops may be more beneficial for this population than has previously been recognized.