A pilot study: Resistive behavior in the context of informal caregiver-assisted activities of daily living

Abstract

Providing care for people with dementia is difficult when resistive behaviors displayed by people impede caregiving efforts.

Purpose: To examined the frequency of resistive behaviors during informal caregiver-assisted activities of daily living and the impact of these occurrences.

Design: A cross sectional design was used to recruit 17 caregivers from Alzheimer's support group meetings in 2010.

Method: Self-report surveys were used to obtain participants' report of resistive behaviors.

Findings: A positive correlation was found between caregivers reported frequency of bathing behaviors and their reported upset with dressing behaviors. Gender differences emerged in caregiver reported frequencies of the resistive behaviors. Caregivers reported behaviors occurring between two and six times per week but rated the not frequent behaviors as somewhat to very upsetting when they occurred.

Conclusions: When informal caregivers provide assisted care, resistive behaviors occur. Future research is needed to identify interventions to help caregivers manage their upset when resistiveness occurs.

Keywords: activities of daily living; dementia; informal caregivers; nursing; resistive behaviors.