Creating a healthy institutional environment for the elderly via behavior management: The nurse as a change agent

Abstract

A single subject ABA reversal design was used in an attempt to change a chronic "screaming" behavior in an 80-yr-old nursing home resident. Two "therapeutic" contingencies were programmed simultaneously: (a) a positive reinforcement contingency (crf) using tangible as well as social reinforcers consequating the emittance of any desired "normal" behaviors was aimed at shaping and strengthening behaviors incompatible with screaming; and (b) a modified time-out contingency following immediately upon each screaming behavior was geared toward extinction of screaming behavior. Manipulation of the positive and negative consequences upon the occurrence of non-screaming and screaming behavior, respectively, resulted in the control of screaming behavior. Data are discussed in light of theoretical implications related to an ecological perspective towards aging as opposed to a biological perspective. © 1975.