The Gerontologist, Vol 38, Issue 2 199-208, Copyright © 1998 by The Gerontological Society of America

ARTICLES

The effects of an enhanced environment on nursing home residents who pace

J Cohen-Mansfield and P Werner
Research Institute of Hebrew Home of Greater Washington, Rockville, MD 20852, USA. [email protected]

This study sought to enhance the well-being of older nursing home residents who pace and wander by enriching their nursing home environment. Visual, auditory, and olfactory stimuli were added to the nursing home unit environment to simulate two types of environments: a home environment and an outdoor nature environment. Participants seemed to prefer the enhanced environments by choosing to spend more time in them, and by sitting on benches in those environments. There was a trend toward less trespassing, exit-seeking, and other agitated behaviors being exhibited in the enhanced environment, and residents were observed to manifest more pleasure in it. Staff members and family members definitely expressed a preference for the enhanced environment over the regular one. Although effects on residents were limited, this approach offers a low-cost method for making the nursing home environment a better place for those residents.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				B. E. Harrison, G.-R. Son, J. Kim, and A. L. Whall Preserved Implicit Memory in Dementia: A Potential Model for Care American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias, September 1, 2007; 22(4): 286 - 293. [Abstract] [PDF]

				C. A. Yury and J. E. Fisher Preventing Excess Disability in an Elderly Person With Alzheimer's Disease Clinical Case Studies, August 1, 2007; 6(4): 295 - 306. [Abstract] [PDF]

				J. Rabig, W. Thomas, R. A. Kane, L. J. Cutler, and S. McAlilly Radical redesign of nursing homes: applying the green house concept in tupelo, Mississippi. Gerontologist, August 1, 2006; 46(4): 533 - 539. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. Yao and D. Algase Environmental ambiance as a new window on wandering. West J Nurs Res, February 1, 2006; 28(1): 89 - 104. [Abstract] [PDF]

				G. Livingston, K. Johnston, C. Katona, J. Paton, C. G. Lyketsos, and Old Age Task Force of the World Federation of Biol Systematic Review of Psychological Approaches to the Management of Neuropsychiatric Symptoms of Dementia Am J Psychiatry, November 1, 2005; 162(11): 1996 - 2021. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				Q. M. Samus, A. Rosenblatt, C. Steele, A. Baker, M. Harper, J. Brandt, L. Mayer, P. V. Rabins, and C. G. Lyketsos The Association of Neuropsychiatric Symptoms and Environment With Quality of Life in Assisted Living Residents With Dementia Gerontologist, October 1, 2005; 45(suppl_1): 19 - 26. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Cohen-Mansfield Nonpharmacologic Interventions for Inappropriate Behaviors in Dementia: A Review, Summary, and Critique Focus, April 1, 2004; 2(2): 288 - 308. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Cohen-Mansfield Nonpharmacologic Interventions for Psychotic Symptoms in Dementia J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol, December 1, 2003; 16(4): 219 - 224. [Abstract] [PDF]

				J. Zeisel, N. M. Silverstein, J. Hyde, S. Levkoff, M. P. Lawton, and W. Holmes Environmental Correlates to Behavioral Health Outcomes in Alzheimer's Special Care Units Gerontologist, October 1, 2003; 43(5): 697 - 711. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. Kincaid and J. R. Peacock The Effect of a Wall Mural on Decreasing Four Types of Door-Testing Behaviors Journal of Applied Gerontology, March 1, 2003; 22(1): 76 - 88. [Abstract] [PDF]

				R. C. Reid and N. L. Chappell Staff Ratios and Resident Outcomes in Special Care Units: Do Activity Aides Make a Difference? Journal of Applied Gerontology, March 1, 2003; 22(1): 89 - 103. [Abstract] [PDF]

				C. J. Camp, J. Cohen-Mansfield, and E. A. Capezuti Mental Health Services in Nursing Homes: Use of Nonpharmacologic Interventions Among Nursing Home Residents With Dementia Psychiatr Serv, November 1, 2002; 53(11): 1397 - 1404. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Cohen-Mansfield Nonpharmacologic Interventions for Inappropriate Behaviors in Dementia: A Review, Summary, and Critique Am J Geriatr Psychiatry, November 1, 2001; 9(4): 361 - 381. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. R. Kovach and A. M. Schlidt The agitation-activity interface of people with dementia in long-term care American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias, July 1, 2001; 16(4): 240 - 246. [Abstract] [PDF]

				R. S. Doody, J.C. Stevens, C. Beck, R.M. Dubinsky, J.A. Kaye, L. Gwyther, R.C. Mohs, L.J. Thal, P.J. Whitehouse, S.T. DeKosky, et al. Practice parameter: Management of dementia (an evidence-based review): Report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology Neurology, May 8, 2001; 56(9): 1154 - 1166. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. Day, D. Carreon, and C. Stump The Therapeutic Design of Environments for People With Dementia: A Review of the Empirical Research Gerontologist, August 1, 2000; 40(4): 397 - 416. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				A. S. Schreiner, E. Yamamoto, and H. Shiotani Agitated Behavior in Elderly Nursing Home Residents With Dementia in Japan J. Gerontol. B. Psychol. Sci. Soc. Sci., May 1, 2000; 55(3): P180 - P187. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. L. Whall, Y. Shin, and K. B. Colling A Nightingale-Based Model for Dementia Care and its Relevance for Korean Nursing Nurs Sci Q, October 1, 1999; 12(4): 319 - 323. [Abstract] [PDF]