INCLUDING SMALL-GROUP ACTIVITIES IN LARGE SPECIAL CARE UNITS

An activity program for groups of 6 to 8 residents war implemented for 51 residents of 3 dementia units. Nursing assistants, not the activit y director led the small group activities. Observations across a 16-we ek period indicate that, after the program began, residents walked wit h others more, sang more, frowned less, and were physically restrained less. In addition, psychotropic medications were reduced for 7 of 20 who were on this type of medication. These results suggest that an ine xpensive small group activity program, if used in conjunction with a s upportive, caring staff; is valuable in avoiding some excess disabilit ies of residents of special care units.