Disclosure of Basic Strengths and Basic Weaknesses in Demented Patients during Morning Care,before and after Staff Training: Analysis of Video-Recordings by Means of the Erikson Theory of “Eight Stages of Man”

In the field of care for aging persons, it is commonly understood that personality changes occur in dementia patients. It is reported to be a consistent part of the clinical syndrome and to occur early in the disease. The aim of this study was to investigate if strengths and weaknesses, described by E. H. and J. M. Erikson as basic qualities in the person, could be interpreted in severely demented patients during a caring activity, and if a difference in these qualities could be seen after staff completed a training program in “integrity promoting care.” The morning care of five patients was video-recorded and a phenomenological-hermeneutic analysis of the patient's and staff's interaction was conducted. The findings indicate that the complex qualities of someone's personality are more preserved than could be expected considering the cognitive handicap. It seems, however, that demented patients need a special, supportive environment for their full mental potential to be realized. It is reasonable to assume that, if the staff are given knowledge of how to create a positive climate for the demented patients and the opportunity to implement it, the patients will show a rich pattern of mental reactions in spite of their dementia.