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. 2024 Apr-Jun;38(2):168-177.
doi: 10.1097/WAD.0000000000000616. Epub 2024 Apr 23.

" I'm not a risk taker " : Risk Perceptions of Nursing Home Residents With Dementia

Liza L Behrens  1 , Hannah L Anderson  2 , Kaléi H Kowalchik  1 , Jacqueline Mogle  3 , Joanne Roman Jones  4 , Kimberly Van Haitsma  1 , Nancy Hodgson  5 , Marie Boltz  1
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" I'm not a risk taker " : Risk Perceptions of Nursing Home Residents With Dementia

Liza L Behrens et al. Alzheimer Dis Assoc Disord. 2024 Apr-Jun.

Abstract

Background: Persons living with Alzheimer disease and related dementia (ADRD) in nursing homes (NH) are often excluded from conversations about their health/safety. These omissions impinge on personhood and the rights to have care preferences heard and honored. While persons with ADRD maintain the ability to communicate their preferences long after their decision-making abilities are affected, little is known about how persons with ADRD understand the risks associated with their preferences.

Methods: As part of a larger focused ethnography, in-depth interviews and an adapted risk propensity questionnaire explored the risk perceptions of NH residents with ADRD (N=7) associated with their preferences for care and activities of daily living.

Results: Residents generally self-identified as risk avoiders ( M =3.2±1.84) on the risk propensity scale and were able to rate risk associated with preferences described within 5 thematic categories: 1) participation in decision-making, 2) risk awareness, 3) paying attention to safety, 4) reliance on nursing home staff and family, and 5) impacts on quality of life and quality of care.

Discussion: Results suggest NH residents with ADRD can express risk surrounding their preferences and should be encouraged to participate in discussions about their health and safety.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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