Using direct observation to record the behaviour of long‐stay patients with dementia

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Abstract
This article describes the development of a direct observation system for the assessment of the behaviour of elderly demented long‐stay patients. The technique of recording behaviour in real time has high face validity, and in conjunction with portable computers was found to be very reliable. The technique was used to assess the behaviour of patients during their waking day on seven wards. The findings suggest that almost two‐thirds of the day is spent doing nothing, with aimless or disruptive behaviours also accounting for a significant period of the day. Only a small proportion of the day was spent in self‐care or social behaviours.