Coping with conflicting agendas: the bathing experience of cognitively impaired older adults

The behaviors of 33 clients with cognitive impairment were examined during bath time using grounded theory methods. Analysis revealed that 73% of the adults displayed agitated behaviors during personal hygiene care. Subjects and caregivers were faced with conflicting agendas and attempted to cope by using a variety of verbal and nonverbal strategies. The strategies used by cognitively impaired older adults included: attaining control, sharing control, resigning control, and regaining inner control. Results of this study suggest that older adults with cognitive impairment have a repertoire of coping mechanisms that are used when environmental demands challenge the person's deteriorating cortical abilities.