reality orientation

1. a program designed to improve cognitive and psychomotor function in persons who are confused or disoriented. It is often employed in long-term facilities to create an environment in which perceptions of the environment in relation to the external world are directed toward the reality of that world. Aids such as calendars and clocks and sensory stimuli such as distinctive sights, sounds, and smells are used to improve sensory awareness. The expected outcome of such programs for severely impaired persons is improvement in intellect and language skills, and increased participation in activities of daily living.

2. in the nursing interventions classification, a nursing intervention defined as promotion of the patient's awareness of personal identity, time, and environment. See also reality testing.

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References in periodicals archive

With a sense of reality orientation, all three of these

not seem to have a highly developed sense of reality orientation. She

Voices in transition: lessons on career adaptability

One facilitation technique was rated more critical as an entry level skill in PM&R: reality orientation. Reality orientation F(3, 269) = 4.51, p < .004 was rated significantly more critical in PM&R (4.37) than in Other populations (3.78).

Reality orientation F(3, 262) = 5.10, p < .002 was less critical in other populations (3.62) than in mental health (4.22), older adults (4.34), and PM&R (4.37).

Therapeutic recreation modalities and facilitation techniques: a national study

It would seem logical though, that if these old people who live in the "difficult circumstances" to which Coleman alludes, were given a more stimulating and satisfying quality of life, they would then have more reason to mentally exist in the real present and, ironically, just as reality orientation would become more relevant, it would at the same time become less necessary.

Reality orientation in institutions for the elderly: the perspective from interactional sociolinguistics

Advocates of "milieu" or "reality orientation" therapy for demented patients[4,20] recommend that patients be involved in activities which, as much as possible, are extensions of their pre-morbid lives.

A design for enhancing independence despite Alzheimer's disease

Caring touch helps elderly compensate for bereavement, dependency, and altered body image.|5~ It has been found to be therapeutic as a form of nonverbal communication and as a means of decreasing sensory deprivation, increasing reality orientation and alleviating pain.|6~ Nurturing touch is also effective in helping the elderly person feel less isolated and vulnerable during periods of intense personal stress.|7~

The elderly require a "special touch": touching expresses caring, and the quality of care improves

For example, the social worker can reinforce a sensory stimulation goal during visits with the resident by utilizing tactile stimulation, reality orientation, or reminiscence as part of the visit.

Promoting staff teamwork to improve quality of care: the regressed residents found so typically in nursing hones require more than "everyone doing her job."