Methods: Each resident’s activity was monitored for 3 to 28 days using a triaxial patient monitoring system. Resident (n=31) body orientation, movement, and nursing staff compliance with on-time repositioning were tracked in real time. Demographics (age, gender, race/ethnicity), body mass index (BMI), and repositioning data were summarized using descriptive and non-parametric statistics (Wilcoxon rank sum, Fisher’s exact test).
Results: The predominantly female (65.7%, n=20) resident sample was primarily Caucasian (80.65%, n=25) with a mean age of 77.9 (S.D.=8.48); 3% were over 90 years old. Mean BMI was 27.3 (S.D.=6.45); residents with very low BMI (5, 16.13%) and BMI >30 reflecting obesity (14, 45.16%) comprised the majority of the sample. Mean total time each resident was monitored with triaxial accelerometer was 16.35 days (S.D.=9.93). Body orientations detected were 55% of the time lying in bed, 43% upright sitting in a chair or bed, and 2% up ambulating. No significant differences (p<.05) were observed for 1) time spent in body position, 2) number of position changes, or 3) ambulating when analyzed according to BMI groups.
Conclusions: NH residents with dementia spent 93% of time lying in bed or sitting in chairs, with only 5% spent on movement (changing body positions) and 2% on ambulation. More than half of NH residents with dementia are obese (BMI>30). Nurses should prioritize pressure ulcer prevention among NH residents with dementia. Nurses should also encourage NH residents to increase movement and ambulation, such as walking, meanwhile monitoring patient safety.