Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Teaching Mands to Older Adults with Dementia

  • Published:
The Analysis of Verbal Behavior Aims and scope Submit manuscript

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.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Alzheimer’s Association. (2012). 2012 Alzheimer’s disease facts and figures. Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association, 8, 131–168. doi:10.1016/j.jalz.2012.02.001.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • American Psychiatric Association (2000). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th ed., text rev.). Washington, DC: Author.

  • Baker, J. C., LeBlanc, L. A., & Raetz, P. B. (2008). A behavioral conceptualization of aphasia. The Analysis of Verbal Behavior, 24, 147–158.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Beattie, S., & Baker, J. C. (2014). Evaluation of preference and subsequent stimulus engagement among older adults with dementia manuscript in preparation. Manuscript in preparation.

  • Beukelman, D. R., Fager, S., Ball, L., & Dietz, A. (2007). AAC for adults with acquired neurological conditions: a review. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 23, 230–242. doi:10.1080/07434610701553668.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bourgeois, M. S. (1993). Effects of memory aids on the dyadic conversations of individuals with dementia. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 26, 77–87. doi:10.1901/jaba.1993.26-77.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Bourgeois, M. S., Dijkstra, K., Burgio, L., & Allen-Burge, R. (2001). Memory aids as an augmentative and alternative communication strategy for nursing home residents with dementia. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 17, 196–210. doi:10.1080/714043383.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DeLeon, I. G., & Iwata, J. C. (1996). Evaluation of a multiple-stimulus presentation format for assessing reinforcer preferences. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 29, 519–533.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Dixon, M., Baker, J. C., & Sadowski, K. A. (2011). Applying Skinner’s analysis of verbal behavior to person’s with dementia. Behavior Therapy, 42, 120–126. doi:10.1016/j.beth.2010.05.002.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dwyer-Moore, K. J., & Dixon, M. R. (2007). Functional analysis and treatment of problem behavior of elderly adults in long-term care. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 40, 679–683.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Engelman, K. K., Altus, D. E., & Mathews, R. M. (1999). Increasing engagement in daily activities by older adults with dementia. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 32, 107–110. doi:10.1901/jaba.1999.32-107.

    Article  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • 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, 129–132. doi:10.1901/jaba.2003.36-129.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Esch, B. E., LaLonde, K. B., & Esch, J. W. (2010). Speech and language assessment: a verbal behavior analysis. The Journal of Speech Language Pathology and Applied Behavior Analysis, 5, 166–191.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fisher, W., Piazza, C. C., Bowman, L. G., Hagopian, L. P., Owens, J. C., & Slevin, I. (1992). A comparison of two approaches for identifying reinforcers for persons with severe and profound disabilities. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 25, 491–498.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Folstein, M. F., Folstein, S. E., & McHugh, P. R. (1975). Mini-Mental State: a practical method for grading the cognitive state of patients for the clinician. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 12(3), 189–198.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gross, A. C., Fuqua, R. W., & Merritt, T. A. (2013). Evaluation of verbal behavior in older adults. The Analysis of Verbal Behavior, 29, 85–99.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Hanley, G. P., Iwata, B. A., Lindberg, J. S., & Conners, J. (2003). Response-restriction analysis: I. Assessment of activity preferences. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 36, 47–58. doi:10.1901/jaba.2003.36-47.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Henry, L. M., & Horne, P. J. (2000). Partial remediation of speaker and listener behaviors in people with severe dementia. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 33, 631–634. doi:10.1901/jaba.2000.33-631.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • LeBlanc, L. A., Raetz, P. B., & Feliciano, L. (2011). Behavioral gerontology. In W. W. Fisher, C. C. Piazza, & H. S. Roane (Eds.), Handbook of applied behavior analysis (pp. 472–488). NY: The Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Logsdon, R. G., & Teri, L. (1997). The pleasant events schedule—AD: psychometric properties and relationship to depression and cognition in Alzheimer’s disease patients. The Gerontologist, 37, 40–45. doi:10.1093/geront/37.1.40.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Michael, J. (1988). Establishing operations and the mand. The Analysis of Verbal Behavior, 6, 3–9.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Olenick, D. L., & Pear, J. J. (1980). Differential reinforcement of correct responses to probes and prompts in picture-name training with severely retarded children. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 13, 77–89. doi:10.1901/jaba.1980.13-77.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Resnick, H. E., Fries, B. E., & Verbrugge, L. M. (1997). Windows to their world: the effect of sensory impairments on social engagement and activity time in nursing home residents. Journal of Gerontology, 52B, S135–S144.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roane, H. S., Vollmer, T. R., Ringdahl, J. E., & Marcus, B. A. (1998). Evaluation of a brief stimulus preference assessment. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 31, 605–620. doi:10.1901/jaba.1998.31-605.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Schlinger, H., & Blakely, E. (1987). Function-altering effects of contingency-specifying stimuli. The Behavior Analyst, 10, 41–45.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Silverman, F. H., & Schuyler, H. J. (1994). Can AAC help persons with dementia? Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 10, 60. doi:10.1080/07434619412331276750.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Skinner, B. F. (1957). Verbal behavior. Engelwood Cliffs: Prentice-Hall.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Sundberg, M. L., & Michael, J. (2001). The benefits of Skinner’s analysis of verbal behavior for children with autism. Behavioral Modification, 25, 698. doi:10.1177/0145445501255003.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sundberg, M. L., Loeb, M., Hale, L., & Eigenheer, P. (2002). Contriving establishing operations to teach mands for information. The Analysis of Verbal Behavior, 18, 15–29.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Trahan, M. A., Donaldson, J. M., McNabney, M. K., & Kahng, S. (2014). Training and maintenance of a picture-based communication response in older adults with dementia. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 47, 404–409.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgment

The authors thank Sarah Lechago for her invaluable suggestions in the formation of this study and Elizabeth Rossiaky for her help with data collection.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Rehabilitation Institute, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL, 62918, USA

    Chelsey R. Oleson & Jonathan C. Baker

Authors
  1. Chelsey R. Oleson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jonathan C. Baker
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jonathan C. Baker.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Oleson, C.R., Baker, J.C. Teaching Mands to Older Adults with Dementia. Analysis Verbal Behav 30, 113–127 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40616-014-0018-7

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40616-014-0018-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation