Mealtime nonverbal behaviors in nursing home staff and residents with dementia: Behavioral analyses of videotaped observations

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

2-4-2022

Journal

Geriatric nursing (New York, N.Y.)

Volume

44

DOI

10.1016/j.gerinurse.2022.01.009

Keywords

Communication; Dementia; Mealtime; Nonverbal behaviors; Nursing home

Abstract

This study characterized mealtime nonverbal behaviors of nursing home staff and residents with dementia and examined the relationships between individual characteristics and nonverbal behaviors. Videotaped observations (N=110) involving 25 residents and 29 staff (42 unique staff-resident dyads) in 9 nursing homes were coded using the refined Cue Utilization and Engagement in Dementia Mealtime Video-Coding Scheme. Wilcoxon rank-sum test or Kruskal-Wallis test were used for continuous characteristics, and Fisher's exact test for categorical characteristics. Residents primarily exhibited challenging behaviors including resistive behaviors (35.7%), chewing/swallowing difficulties (33.5%), and functional impairments (9.9%), followed by positive/neutral behaviors (20.9%). Staff primarily used person-centered behavioral strategies, including modifications of: 1) resident abilities (41.9%), 2) care approaches (35.1%), and 3) dining environment (13.6%), followed by task-centered behaviors (9.3%). Residents challenging behaviors were correlated with staff person-centered behavioral strategies. Dyadic nonverbal behaviors were correlated with multiple individual characteristics. Understanding dyadic nonverbal interactions facilitates use of person-centered, multilevel, behavioral strategies to optimize mealtime outcomes.

Department

Nursing Faculty Publications

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