Increase in Verbalization of an Elderly Person by Using Behavior Modification Therapy in Japanese Nursing Home

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to attempt to increase the verbal behavior of an elderly person using behavior modification therapy in Japanese nursing home. The elderly person was an 87 year old woman who had been living in a nursing home for the past eight years. When the subject arrived at the nursing home, she was able to express herself verbally, interacting with the other residents and the staff. However, by the time the study began, she could not speak and did not talk with anyone. It was thought that this was due to limited opportunities for verbal interaction in the nursing home environment. The staff was very busy caring for the other residents who were severely demented. Behavior modification therapy was used to stimulate talking by the subject. This entailed the therapist immediately praising and physically contacting the subject following every verbal expression. After the treatment had been implemented for one day weekly for six months, the subjects verbalization increased.