Fighting for Dignity: A Film on Injurious and Fatal Resident-to-Resident Incidents in Long-Term Care Homes

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“The phenomenon of resident-to-resident incidents is now recognized as an international public health problem.” – From the film

A large number of injurious resident-to-resident incidents in long-term care settings are not recognized, reported, nor prevented. Through the graphic and deeply painful experiences of three families whose vulnerable loved ones were either physically or sexually harmed, this powerful 20-minute film encourages care providers to improve care practices that would help prevent such episodes.

As it sheds light on the under-studied and under-recognized phenomenon of injurious and deadly resident-to-resident incidents, the film also emphasizes the need to understand that behavioral expressions labelled as “aggressive” in the context of dementia, typically occur when the “fighting” resident’s own emotional and physical needs are not being met.

Fighting for Dignity provides a much-needed framework in which to:

1. recognize the potential consequences of serious incidents on residents (psychological distress, falls, physical injury, and death), and the profound emotional impact on their family members,
2. improve the safety of vulnerable and frail elders by recognizing the emotional cues and situational frustrations that can help prevent harmful incidents, and
3. offer a professional and timely response to harmful incidents, including the provision of adequate emotional support to family members.

The film is accompanied by an informative 76-slide PowerPoint that identifies:

• Unmet human needs that often underscore behavioral expressions in persons living with dementia
• The definition and prevalence of Distressing and Harmful Resident-to-Resident Interactions
• Contributing factors, causes, and situational triggers
• The effect of these episodes on residents and families
• Persistent barriers for change in addressing these episodes
• A series of psychosocial strategies for prevention and de-escalation

It also pinpoints the critical role of adequate staffing levels, specialized dementia-specific staff training programs, and the importance of personally meaningful engagement of residents living with dementia. Finally, it describes screening and assessment instruments that should be used as an integral part of all prevention efforts aimed at reducing these incidents and keeping residents with dementia safe.

A must-see training resource for all health care professionals, managers, administrators, and owners of nursing homes and assisted living residences, as well as, culture change advocates and policymakers.

“Fighting for Dignity” is a powerful film that shines a light on the unspeakable acts of physical and sexual resident-to-resident incidents that occur in long term care facilities —facilities that family members turn to keep vulnerable loved ones “safe from harm.” Three families share their painful experiences with the common thread of a lack of prevention and accountability. Directors Caspi and Berry end the film with a call to action to identify this as a public health problem and “break the silence” with policies and training to address it. As one family member featured stated, “someone’s got to talk about it, because it happens.” Let’s open our eyes now and give voice to those who cannot speak for themselves.

Nina M. Silverstein, PhD                                                                                                                                    Professor Emerita, Gerontology                                                                                                                    University of Massachusetts Boston

While the full-length film is available for public viewing free of charge, you can also purchase a hard copy DVD of the film below.  (DVD purchase includes the film, Discussion Guide, PowerPoint presentation, and CEU instructions.)

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