Journal of Gerontological Nursing
By Bill Buron, PhD, RNC, GNP/FNP-BC
Accepted: March 4, 2010; Received: April 25, 2009; Posted: June 22, 2010
This study evaluated the effects of person-centered life history collages on nursing staff knowledge about individual residents living with dementia and staff perceptions of individualized care practices. Thirty-six nursing staff participants (18 experimental and 18 control) who cared for 5 residents with dementia in two nursing homes were recruited. Intervention staff members were exposed to life history collages for 4 weeks. Pretest and posttest data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance and analysis of covariance. While intervention group members’ knowledge of residents’ family, jobs/careers, and likes/dislikes/interests improved significantly at posttest, F(3, 26) = 6.80, p < 0.01, and at 3 weeks postintervention, F(3, 23) = 9.85, p < 0.001, perceptions of individualized care/person-centered care practices did not. Potential reasons for this lack of improvement are identified and discussed. Directions for future research are also provided.
doi:10.3928/00989134-20100602-01
