Episode 17: Behavioural Gerontology with Dr. Rebecca Sharp, Ph.D., BCBA-D

In this episode, Ben chats with Dr. Rebecca Sharp who directs the Applied Behaviour Analysis programme at Bangor University in Wales. Dr. Sharp's research interests include behaviour analytic approaches to working with people with dementia and traumatic brain injury.

Continuing Education Units (CEUs): https://cbiconsultants.com/shop

• BACB: 1.5 Learning


• IBAO: 1.5 Learning


• QABA: 1.5 General

Show Notes:

• University of Auckland: https://www.psych.auckland.ac.nz/en/about/our-courses/applied-behaviour-analysis.html 


• Rebecca Sharp: https://www.bangor.ac.uk/psychology/staff/rebecca-sharp/en 


• Enjoy Old Age - Skinner and Vaughn: https://www.amazon.ca/Enjoy-Old-Age-B-Skinner/dp/0393018059  

Articles Referenced:

• Adkins, V. K., & Mathews, R. M. (1997). Prompted voiding to reduce incontinence in community-dwelling older adults. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 30(1), 153-156. https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.1997.30-153 


• Cohen-Mansfield, J., Dakheel-Ali, M., Marx, M. S., Thein, K., & Regier, N. G. (2015). Which unmet needs contribute to behavior problems in persons with advanced dementia?. Psychiatry Research, 228(1), 59–64. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2015.03.043 


• Dixon, M. R., Nastally, B. L., & Waterman, A. (2010). The effect of gambling activities on happiness levels of nursing home residents. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 43(3), 531-535. https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.2010.43-531 


• Fahmie, T. A., & Hanley, G. P. (2008). Progressing toward data intimacy: A review of within-session data analysis. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 41(3), 319–331. https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.2008.41-319 


• Gallagher, S. M. & Keenan, M. (2000). Extending high rates of meaningful interaction among the elderly in residential care through participation in a specifically designed activity. Behavioral Interventions, 15, 113-119. https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1099-078X(200004/06)15:2<113::AID-BIN46>3.0.CO;2-Y 


• Green, C. W., & Reid, D. H. (1996). Defining, validating, and increasing indices of happiness among people with profound multiple disabilities. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 29(1), 67-78. https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.1996.29-67 


• Jackman, L., & Beatty, A. (2015). Using the Newcastle Model to understand people whose behaviour challenges in dementia care. Nursing Older People, 27(2), 32-39. https://doi.org/10.7748/nop.27.2.32.e666 


• Lucock, Z. R., Sharp, R. A. & Jones, R. S. (2020). Preference for leisure items over edible items in individuals with dementia: A replication. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 53, 1780-1788. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.679 


• Sharp, R. A., Lucock, Z. R. & Jones, R. S. P. (2021). Preliminary investigation of two functional assessment methods for people with dementia: Effectiveness and acceptability. Behavioral Interventions, 36, 93-104. https://doi.org/10.1002/bin.1747 


• Sharp, R. A., Williams, E., Rörnes, R. et al. (2019). Lounge layout to facilitate communication and engagement in people with dementia. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 12, 637-642. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-018-00323-4 


• Williams, E. E. M., Sharp, R. A. & Lamers, C. (2020). An assessment method for identifying acceptable and effective ways to present demands to an adult with dementia. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 13, 473-478. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-020-00409-y