Abstract
Assuring high-quality care for residents with dementia in assisted living and nursing homes should be informed by the research on interventions that could improve care. The authors screened 325 peer-reviewed articles published from 1994-2003, identifying 72 studies or reviews that met the inclusion criteria for this review. Key findings indicate that staff who know their residents and appropriate approaches to care can help minimize distress and behavioral symptoms. This requires trained staff who receive supervision designed to improve their interactions with residents. Also, pleasant environments, which provide opportunities for residents to improve their functioning, can lead to more independence in daily activities. Possible environmental interventions involve modifications to make the institution as homelike as possible with access to secure wandering places. Overall, the reviewed studies not only offer insights into effective intervention, particularly in addressing behavioral symptoms of dementia, but also illuminate several gaps in understanding effective care approaches, warranting further research.