Informed Family Member Involvement to Improve the Quality of Dementia Care in Nursing Homes
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
Jennifer Tjia MD, MSc, Celeste A. Lemay RN, MPH, Alice Bonner PhD, RN, Christina Compher MHS, Kelli Paice MD, Terry Field DSc, Kathleen Mazor EdD, Jacob N. Hunnicutt MPH, Kate L. Lapane PhD, MS, Jerry Gurwitz MD
Abstract
Objectives
To describe the extent to which nursing homes engaged families in antipsychotic initiation decisions in the year before surveyor guidance revisions were implemented.
Design
Mixed-methods study based on semistructured interviews.
Setting
U.S. nursing homes (N = 20) from five CMS regions (III, IV, VI, VIII, IX).
Participants
Family members of nursing home residents (N = 41).
Measurements
Family member responses to closed- and open-ended questions regarding involvement in resident care and antipsychotic initiation. Two researchers used a content analytical approach to code open responses to themes of family involvement in behavior management, decision-making, knowledge of risks and benefits, and informed consent.
Results
Fifty-four percent of family members felt highly involved in decisions about behavior management. Forty-two percent recalled being asked how to manage resident behavior without medication, and 17% recalled receipt of information about antipsychotic risks and benefits. Sixty-six percent felt highly involved in the process of initiating antipsychotic medication; 24% reported being asked for input into the antipsychotic initiation decision and knowing before the antipsychotic was started.
Conclusion
Under existing federal regulations but before guidance revisions were implemented in 2013, more than 40% of families reported being involved in nonpharmacological behavior management of family members, but fewer than one in four reported being involved throughout the entire antipsychotic prescribing process. Interventions that standardize family engagement and promote adherence to existing federal regulations are needed. This discussion builds on these findings to weigh the policy options of greater enforcement of existing regulations versus enactment of new legislation to address this challenging issue.
