When caring leaves bruises: the effects of staff education on resident aggression.

1. Physical aggression toward nursing staff by confused elderly residents is a very common and frustrating clinical nursing problem in long-term care facilities. 2. Some physical aggression may be associated with a lack of knowledge about dementia, therefore staff inservice education may be one way of reducing some forms of physical aggression. 3. The authors found a 50% reduction in reported physical aggression from elderly residents after a staff education program on dementia and aggression was implemented.