TRAINING ALLIES TO REDUCE VARIANCE IN A NURSING HOME STUDY: A COMMUNICATION INTERVENTION

Abstract

Communication training was undertaken within a study the prime purpose of which is to determine the influence of light levels on rhythms and patterns of wandering behavior in a nursing home sample of cognitively impaired individuals. The purpose of this training was to control variance in the social environment of an experimental lounge since it is posited that a number of environmental influences may impact wandering. Heron six-category intervention analysis (Heron, 1976) was used to interpret the existing social environment and inform ally training. This article outlines ally training methods, introduces training implementation issues and evaluates training outcomes.