Abstract
Virtual Reality for Veteran Relaxation: Can VR Therapy Help Veterans Living With Dementia Who Exhibit Responsive Behaviors?
Highlights
Due to the high prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among veterans, as this population ages, they are more likely to develop dementia and exhibit behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), including responsive behaviors
The prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among veterans was estimated at 23% in a meta-analysis involving close to five million veterans examined in 33 studies (Fulton et al, 2015)
Responsive behaviors are often exhibited by people with dementia (PwD) and can include physical and/or verbal aggression, agitation, and restlessness (Alzheimer’s Society of Canada, 2019; Pelletier and Landreville, 2007)
Summary
Due to the high prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among veterans, as this population ages, they are more likely to develop dementia and exhibit behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), including responsive behaviors. In long-term care institutions, residents’ behaviors such as physical (striking out, biting, grabbing, etc.) and/or verbal (cursing, screaming, etc.) reactions are associated with higher staff burnout levels which contribute to absenteeism, high turnover, low engagement, and elevated risk of patient abuse or neglect Despite their limited effectiveness and association with hastening of cognitive and physical decline, medications (neuroleptic/sedating drugs) are commonly used for people with dementia who exhibit responsive behaviors. Responsive behaviors are often exhibited by people with dementia (PwD) and can include physical (striking out, biting, grabbing etc.) and/or verbal (cursing, screaming, etc.) aggression, agitation (pacing nervously, excessive physical movement), and restlessness (Alzheimer’s Society of Canada, 2019; Pelletier and Landreville, 2007) These behaviors can show patterns related to time of day, such as sundowning, and/or can be triggered by particular care or treatment activities such as dressing changes (e.g., wound care), or personal care (e.g., bathing). Responsive behaviors often lead to reciprocal challenges with interpersonal interaction which can result in poorer provision of care and separation of the individual with responsive behaviors from other residents in long-term care (Erkes et al, 2021)
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