DISCLOSURE OF BASIC STRENGTHS AND BASIC WEAKNESSES IN DEMENTED PATIENTS DURING MORNING CARE, BEFORE AND AFTER STAFF TRAINING - ANALYSIS OF VIDEO-RECORDINGS BY MEANS OF THE ERIKSON THEORY OF 8 STAGES OF MAN

In the field of care for aging persons, it is commonly understood that personality changes occur in dementia patients. It is reported to be a consistent part of the clinical syndrome and to occur early in the d isease. The aim of this study was to investigate if strengths and weak nesses, described by E. H. and J. M. Erikson as basic qualities in the person, could be interpreted in severely demented patients during a c aring activity, and if a difference in these qualities could be seen a fter staff completed a training program in ''integrity promoting care. '' The morning care of five patients was video-recorded and a phenomen ological-hermeneutic analysis of the patient's and staffs interaction was conducted. The findings indicate that the complex qualities of som eone's personality are more preserved than could be expected consideri ng the cognitive handicap. It seems, however, that demented patients n eed a special, supportive environment for their full mental potential to be realized. It is reasonable to assume that, if the staff are give n knowledge of how to create a positive climate for the demented patie nts and the opportunity to implement it, the patients will show a rich pattern of mental reactions in spite of their dementia.