HIGH VERSUS LOW-DENSITY SPECIAL CARE UNITS - IMPACT ON THE BEHAVIOR OF ELDERLY RESIDENTS WITH DEMENTIA

The opening of a new Special Care Unit provided the opportunity to stu dy the effect of reduced social density (fewer residents) and spatial density (more area per person) on the behaviour of residents with deme ntia. Two groups (N = 64) were observed at three periods spaced six mo nths apart. As hypothesized, there was a greater improvement in Disrup tive and Nondisruptive behaviour in the experimental group (move from high to low density) compared to the comparison group (constant high d ensity). Findings suggest that unit density is an important determinan t of behaviour in elderly residents with dementia.