USING DIRECT OBSERVATION TO RECORD THE BEHAVIOR OF LONG-STAY PATIENTSWITH DEMENTIA

This article describes the development of a direct observation system for the assessment of the behaviour of elderly demented long-stay pati ents. The technique of recording behaviour in real time has high face validity, and in conjunction with portable computers was found to be v ery reliable. The technique was used to assess the behaviour of patien ts during their waking day on seven wards. The findings suggest that a lmost two-thirds of the day is spent doing nothing, with aimless or di sruptive behaviours also accounting for a significant period of the da y. Only a small proportion of the day was spent in self-care or social behaviours.