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Neuropsychiatric symptoms and quality of life in patients in the final phase of dementia
Author(s) -
Koopmans Raymond T.C.M.,
van der Molen Marloes,
Raats Monique,
Ettema Teake P.
Publication year - 2009
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/gps.2040
Subject(s) - dementia , quality of life (healthcare) , medicine , degenerative disease , psychiatry , psychology , central nervous system disease , gerontology , psychotherapist , disease
Abstract Objectives To assess neuropsychiatric symptoms and quality of life in a group of patients in the final phase of dementia. Methods All patients with dementia ( n = 216) residing on dementia special care units of two Dutch nursing homes were included in the study provided they met the criteria for the final phase of dementia. Neuropsychiatric symptoms were assessed with the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Nursing Home version (NPI‐NH) and the Cohen Mansfield Agitation Inventory (CMAI). Quality of life was assessed with the QUALIDEM Results Of the 216 dementia patients 39 met the criteria for the final phase of dementia. The patients showed a specific pattern of behaviours with a high prevalence of apathy, agitation and behaviours that were mainly observed during morning care such as making strange noises, grabbing, performing repetitious mannerism, spitting, hitting, screaming and pushing. Overall quality of life of these patients in the final phase of dementia was moderate. Conclusion In this small sample, patients in the final phase of dementia show specific behavioural problems, that mainly should be addressed with psychosocial interventions. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.