Organizational and physical environmental correlates of bathing-related agitation in dementia special care units

Both the organizational and physical environments of long-term care facilities are believed to influence agitation levels among cognitively impaired residents. This thesis explores the relationship between selected organizational and physical characteristics of the facility bathing environment and bathing-related agitation. Findings are based on survey data obtained from 47 of the 90 Special Care Units in British Columbia. Of the 1,565 baths conducted during the study period, 46.8% involved some form of agitation. While the provision of initial and additional staff training reduced the likelihood of bathing-related agitation, the presence of a bathing policy and a dedicated bath team actually increased the likelihood of bathing-related agitation. Of the physical environmental features, only the provision of privacy was found to reduce the likelihood of bathing-related agitation. In order to enhance the quality of the bathing experience for residents, facilities are encouraged to direct their resources to improving the organizational bathing environment.