A SEQUENTIAL-ANALYSIS OF VERBAL AND NONVERBAL INTERACTION OF 2 LONG-TERM-CARE RESIDENTS

This study examined interaction involving two older female residents a nd coresidents, caregivers, and others at a Canadian long-term care in stitution Twenty-four hour videotapes recorded each resident's behavio r for 19 and 21 consecutive days, respectively. interactions initiated by residents, their caregivers, and their roommates were coded from v ideo segments occurring between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. Lag-sequential analy ses revealed that nurses initiated most of the interactions, followed by the residents themselves. Verbal contacts initiated by coresidents and other visitors to the focus residents were scant. Contact is not r andom but occurs in predictable sequences. The authors conclude that t he nursing staff assumes the responsibility far initiating a large pro portion of verbal contact and for initiating caregiving. Implications of the failure of residents to request care are discussed.