Nursing Care Management of Responsive Behaviors for Persons Living With Dementia in Acute Care Settings: An Integrative Review

Abstract

The current integrative review was performed to understand how acute care nurses manage responsive behaviors among persons living with dementia (PLWD) in acute care settings. Eight studies were included, and three themes were developed: Person-Centered Approach , Non–Person-Centered Approach , and Facilitators and Barriers to Care Approaches . Nurses expressed difficulties in caring for hospitalized PLWD due to lack of knowledge of dementia care, pressure to work more efficiently, and prioritization of acute medical concerns. Nurses frequently used nonpharmacological approaches that required less time spent with patients. Results suggest that nurses in acute care settings require further education regarding dementia and person-centered care approaches for PLWD. Nursing management can support nurses' learning needs through education and policies to improve patient outcomes. [ Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 49 (2), 19–25.]