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Adjustment to residential placement in Alzheimer disease patients: does premorbid personality matter?
Author(s) -
Brandt Jason,
Campodonico Jeffrey R.,
Rich Jill B.,
Baker Lori,
Steele Cynthia,
Ruff Thea,
Baker Alva,
Lyketsos Constantine
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
international journal of geriatric psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.28
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1099-1166
pISSN - 0885-6230
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1099-1166(199808)13:8<509::aid-gps809>3.0.co;2-r
Subject(s) - personality , psychology , dementia , mood , severe dementia , clinical psychology , psychiatry , disease , long term care , personality assessment inventory , gerontology , medicine , social psychology , pathology
Aim . To evaluate the influence of premorbid personality on adaptation to placement in a long‐term care facility. Subjects . Twenty‐eight persons with probable Alzheimer disease (AD) residing in an academically affiliated nursing home for 6–9 months. Methods . Premorbid personality was described retrospectively by two informants for each resident using the revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO‐PI‐R). Standardized tests and rating scales were used on admission to the facility to assess cognition, mood state, physical dependency and general health. Nurses rated each AD resident's social behaviour, participation in activities and quality of sleep. Results . Poorer adjustment was associated with more severe dementia but better physical health. None of the NEO‐PI‐R domain scores predicted adjustment. Conclusions . Contrary to popular belief, premorbid personality is relatively inconsequential for an AD patient's adaptation to a long‐term care facility. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.