“Living Rehabilitation” for Managing Behavioral Symptoms in Institutionalized Elderly with Mild to Moderate Dementia: A Qualitative Ethnographic Study

Abstract

Background: The number of elderly people with mental health problems in preceding years points to the growing problems the health care system will face in subsequent years. While pharmacological measures remain a significant alternative in treating behavioral symptoms in demented patients, “Living Rehabilitation” could take on an increasing prominence as well. The purpose of this study was to present a comparative analysis of institutionalized demented elderly that participated in activities created to test the effectiveness of the Living Rehabilitation concept. Method: The qualitative ethnographic approach was used to achieve the study goals. Sixty patients age 65+ of a geriatric hospital and nursing home in Japan participated in the study. Data collection occurred over a period of fifteen months. Results: The results of this perceptual analysis proved that major differences in response transpired among hospital and nursing home participants to activities of the Living Rehabilitation concept. The Living Rehabilitation concept has proven to be effective over conventional approaches in accommodating disruptive behaviors often exhibited by elderly people with dementia.