Objectives: To describe the effect of continuous activity programming on behavioral symptoms of dementia.
Design: Observational study based on quality improvement data.
Setting: Two Dementia Special Care Units in different locations.
Participants: Ninety veterans with dementia provided with long-tem care.
Intervention: Continuous activity programming.
Measurements: Data were extracted from the MDS files and obtained by questionnaires filled out by staff members not involved in activity programming.
Results: Two settings of continuous activity programming, requiring no additional staffing, resulted in increased number of hours residents were involved in activities, decreased use of psychotropic medications, improved nutrition, and increased family satisfaction without additional staff. When additional staff was available, more intensive continuous activity programming further decreased agitation and improved sleep.
Conclusion: Continuous activity programming may be instituted without staffing change but the benefit is increased if additional staffing is available.