Family members' and care providers' interpretations of picking behavior

The meaning of so-called “behavior disturbances” among people with dementia is often difficult to interpret. In this exploratory study, the aim was to explore family members' and care providers' descriptions of picking behavior in people with severe dementia and their interpretations of the behavior's meaning. Three threads of meaning were identified in these interpretations: striving for an ordinary, everyday life, striving for control, and striving to be in touch with others. The possibilities of uniting the past and the present by means of collaboration among family members and care providers are discussed. (Geriatr Nurs 2002;23:258-61)