Citation

DeMarco CE. Activ. Adapt. Aging 1996; 21(1): 13.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1996, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1300/J016v21n01_02

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

While much has rightly been written and discussed concerning the abuse of residents in institutional settings, very little has been done to address the problem of residents who disrupt the tranquility of the nursing home through verbal or physical abuse of the staff and other residents. This article presents a glimpse of whom these abusive residents are, and the scope of the current problem. It attempts to assess and understand the causes of the problem behavior and suggests possible action plans to provide activities that will prevent harm to the staff or residents and result in an enhanced quality of life for the abusive resident. In addition, the article discusses various methods for avoiding and/or minimizing the staff burnout that inevitably accompanies working in these high stress situations.