Author(s)

Eileen L. Sullivan, George P. Sillup, Ronald K. Klimberg

Decision & System Sciences, Saint Joseph’s University, Philadelphia, USA.
Department of Interdisciplinary Health Services, Saint Joseph’s University, Philadelphia, USA.
Pharmaceutical & Healthcare Marketing Department, Saint Joseph’s University, Philadelphia, USA.

Timeslips^TM is a group storytelling program that encourages creative expression among dementia patients without the pressure to recall the past. Analysis of the literature was conducted to determine the nine most relevant agitation and anxiety scales most appropriate for use with Timeslips in nursing home patients with dementia, who experience agitation and anxiety. Qualitative assessment of the nine scales was conducted to identify six criteria to determine the most pertinent characteristics for implementation of Timeslips within this patient population: 1) validity/reliability, 2) observation period, 3) training required, 4) time to administer, 5) most appropriate administrator and 6) accessibility/cost. Utilizing these six criteria, quantitative assessment was conducted using the Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP) to identify that the Overt Agitation Severity Scale (OASS) was optimal. IRB approvals have been attained to investigate use of the OASS with Timeslips in the nursing home setting for patients with dementia, who experience agitation and anxiety.

Agitation, Analytical Hierarchical Process, Anxiety, Dementia Treatment in Nursing Homes, Overt Agitation Severity Scale, Timeslips

Sullivan, E. , Sillup, G. and Klimberg, R. (2014) Timeslips—Comparing Agitation and Anxiety Rating Scales to Evaluate the Benefit of Non-Pharmacologic Creative Sessions in Nursing Home Patients with Dementia. Open Journal of Nursing, 4, 451-464. doi: 10.4236/ojn.2014.46048.