We associate nursing homes with quiet, elderly people sitting in their wheelchairs, watching Lawrence Welk and playing Bingo. After all, nursing homes are where many older adults go to receive end-of-life care.
However, there is another group in the elderly population that has been steadily increasing. There are currently a half million new cases of dementia each year, and that number is expected to double by 2060. Some of the behaviors associated with dementia place healthcare workers at risk of severe injury.
Aggression and dementia
Family members are often shocked when their elderly loved one, who had always been kind and gentle, suddenly becomes agitated and aggressive. Unfortunately, it’s part of the disease process. It becomes more prevalent as the day progresses, resulting in a behavior called “sundowning”.
Aggression isn’t intentional, but rather a symptom of the changes occurring in the brain and body. Contributing factors include:
- Damage to the frontal lobe, which controls impulse
- Communication struggles
- Physical discomfort, pain or infections, such as a urinary tract infection
- Fear and confusion from not recognizing their surroundings or loved ones
- Environmental triggers, such as bright lights and loud noises
A resident’s aggression takes many forms, including verbal, physical and being resistant to care. All of this can take a physical toll on caregivers who are hit, bitten and insulted. Healthcare workers experience violence at much higher rates than other occupations.
In addition to the physical injuries, dealing with residents’ aggression is also emotionally exhausting. Healthcare workers often experience stress and burnout, especially when working in a constant state of vigilance.
Healthcare workers receive training on how to handle residents with dementia, but incidents will still happen. Some injuries, such as cuts and bruises, are relatively minor. Still, some workplace violence incidents result in more serious injuries, including severe sprains, broken bones and traumatic brain injury. Workers’ comp covers the medical expenses and lost wages from workplace injuries, allowing the employee to take the time they need to recover.
