Behavioral Gerontology Focus Pack

Description

This focus pack includes the following interactive video and article quizzes:

Interactive Video: An Introduction to Behavioral Gerontology

Below is the entire non-interactive version of this video. It does not contain embedded questions or completion tracking like the CEU version of the module.

Article Quiz: Behavioral Gerontology: Application of Behavioral Methods to the Problems of Older Adults

Read the following article (reading time: 37 min) and pass a 4-question quiz on it:

• Burgio, L. D., & Burgio, K. L. (1986). Behavioral gerontology: Application of behavioral methods to the problems of older adults. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 19(4), 321-328. https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.1986.19-321
• Abstract: Elderly persons are under-represented in research and clinical applied behavior analysis, in spite of data suggesting that behavior problems are quite prevalent in both community dwelling and institutionalized elderly. Preliminary investigations suggest that behavioral procedures can be used effectively in treating various geriatric behavior problems. We discuss a number of areas within behavioral gerontology that would profit from additional research, including basic field study, self-management, community caregiver training, institutional staff training and management, and geriatric behavioral pharmacology. Special considerations for adapting behavioral procedures are discussed, and suggestions for expanding the role of behavior analysis in geriatric care are offered.
  
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Article Quiz: Brief Training to Promote the Use of Less Intrusive Prompts by Nursing Assistants in a Dementia Care Unit

Read the following article (reading time: 10 min) and pass a 4-question quiz on it:

• Engelman, K. K., Altus, D. E., Mosier, M. C., & Mathews, R. M. (2003). Brief training to promote the use of less intrusive prompts by nursing assistants in a dementia care unit. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 36(1), 129-132. https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.2003.36-129.
• Abstract: We evaluated the efficacy of a brief staff-training procedure to increase the use of graduated prompting by 2 certified nursing assistants (CNAs) while they helped to dress 3 persons with dementia in a seven-bed dementia care unit. The multiple baseline design across participants showed that CNAs dressed residents with minimal resident involvement during baseline observations. Following brief in-service training, CNAs provided graduated prompts and praise appropriately, suggesting that CNAs can promote active involvement in personal care routines by older adults with dementia.
  
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Article Quiz: Assessment and Management of Barriers to Fluid Intake in Community Dwelling Older Adults

Read the following article (reading time: 46 min) and pass a 5-question quiz on it:

• Feliciano, L., LeBlanc, L. A., & Feeney, B. J. (2010). Assessment and management of barriers to fluid intake in community dwelling older adults. Journal of Behavioral Health and Medicine, 1(1), 3-14. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0100537
• Abstract: Dehydration is a serious health concern constituting 1 of the 10 most common causes for hospitalization in elders (Sanservo, 1997). Previous dehydration intervention studies have been conducted in nursing home settings (e.g., Chidester & Spangler, 1997; Holbren, Hassell, Williams, & Helle, 1999) without specific attention to the variables maintaining hydration for any given individual. The current project involved individualized assessment of factors that are barriers to hydration for two elders using a functional assessment interview. This interview was then used to develop non-intrusive interventions for hydration that altered those factors to increase healthy fluid consumption. The resulting function-based interventions produced increased levels of healthy fluid consumption with behavior change that maintained at 4-week follow-up.
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Article Quiz: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy with Older Adults: Rationale and Considerations

Read the following article (reading time: 1 hr 1 min) and pass a 5-question quiz on it:

• Petkus, A. J., & Wetherell, J. L. (2013). Acceptance and commitment therapy with older adults: Rationale and considerations. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 20(1), 47-56. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpra.2011.07.004
• Abstract: Older adults are the fastest growing segment of the population. With these changing demographics, mental health professionals will be seeing more older clients. Additionally, older adults are an underserved population in that most older adults in need of mental health services do not receive treatment. Thus, it is essential that treatments for mental and behavioral health problems are empirically supported with older adults and that mental health professionals are aware of the special needs of older adult populations. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an emerging approach to the treatment of distress. The purpose of this article is to provide a rationale for using ACT with older adults based on gerontological theory and research. We also review research on ACT-related processes in later life. We present a case example of an older man with depression and anxiety whom we treated with ACT. Finally, we describe treatment recommendations and important adaptations that need to be considered when using ACT with older adults and discuss important areas for future research.
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Article Quiz: Teaching Mands to Older Adults with Dementia

Read the following article (reading time: 1 hr 48 min) and pass a 10-question quiz on it:

• Oleson, C. R., & Baker, J. C. (2014). Teaching mands to older adults with dementia. The Analysis of Verbal Behavior, 30(2), 113-127. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40616-014-0018-7
• Abstract: Millions of Americans are diagnosed with dementia, and that number is only expected to rise. The diagnosis of dementia comes with impairments, especially in language. Furthermore, dementia-related functional declines appear to be moderated by environmental variables (Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association 8:131–168 2012; American Psychiatric Association, 2000; Engelman et al., Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis 32:107–110, 1999; Engelman et al., Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis 36:129–132, 2003) Traditional language tests are not likely to assess or inform treatment for deficits in manding (Esch et al., The Journal of Speech-Language Pathology and Applied Behavior Analysis 5:166–191, 2010), and the mand is a verbal operant about which little is known among this population. The current study evaluated whether contriving an establishing operation within a preferred activity using a prompt-probe intermix procedure and a transfer of stimulus control procedure was effective in establishing mands in older adults with dementia. The procedure was demonstrated to be effective with one participant, but results were inconsistent with the second participant. Modifications were made throughout training for both participants, showing the importance of individualizing interventions.
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Article Quiz: Assessing the Validity of Engagement-Based and Selection-Based Preference Assessments in Elderly Individuals with Neurocognitive Disorder

Read the following article (reading time: 57 min) and pass a 5-question quiz on it:

• Quick, M. J., Baker, J. C., & Ringdahl, J. E. (2018). Assessing the validity of engagement-based and selection-based preference assessments in elderly individuals with neurocognitive disorder. Behavior Analysis: Research and Practice, 18(1), 92-102. https://doi.org/10.1037/bar0000070
• Abstract: The majority of the preference assessment literature focuses on applications with children and adults with developmental disabilities. To date, relatively few studies have focused on research related to preference and reinforcer assessments with the elderly population with cognitive impairment, despite the need for programmed access to preferred and reinforcing stimuli (Raetz, LeBlanc, Baker, & Hilton, 2013). This study assessed the predictive validity of engagement- and selection-based preference assessment formats with 2 types of reinforcer assessments: engagement-based and task-based. Three older adults, who attended an adult day program and who had a formal diagnosis of neurocognitive disorder, participated in the study. The first participant’s most preferred items in the each preference assessment were validated in both reinforcer assessments. The second participant’s most preferred items from each preference assessment were validated with the engagement-based reinforcer assessment, but the task-based assessment produced variable responding. The third participant’s most preferred items from the MSWO were validated with both reinforcer assessments, but the most preferred item from the FO was validated with only the engagement-based reinforcer assessment. Results are discussed in terms of their implications for preference and reinforcer assessments and their utility with the population of elderly adults with cognitive impairments.
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