Can changes in ward routines affect the severity of dementia? A controlled prospective study.

An extensive new caring program--including the introduction of Individual Care Plans and changes in ward organization, caring techniques, and caring philosophy--was introduced at two psychogeriatric wards with severely demented patients. The hypotheses were that the patients (n = 31) would improve in psychosocial capacity and orientation and the staff work load would decline in contrast to two other wards with a similar clientele (n = 31). After ten months the milieu was more "homelike," routines were more flexible, and the staff communicated more with the patients.