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Behavioural symptoms in the institutionalized elderly—relationship to dementia
Author(s) -
Nösman Birgitta,
Bucht Gösta,
Eriksson Sture,
Sandman P. O.
Publication year - 1993
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.930081007
Subject(s) - dementia , aggression , workload , nursing homes , psychiatry , medicine , activities of daily living , psychology , gerontology , disease , nursing , pathology , computer science , operating system
Abstract A proportion of patients in long‐term care institutions have behavioural symptoms that increase the physical and psychiatric workload of those caring for them. We performed a cross‐sectional study in order to assess the prevalence of behavioural symptoms in patients in various types of long‐stay institutions. In addition, we studied behavioural patterns to find predictors for behavioural symptoms. Prevalence and pattern of behavioural symptoms were studied in 1350 patients in the long‐stay institutions in the county of Umeå using Gottfries and Gottfries Psychogeriatric and Sandman‐Adolfsson's Multi‐Dimensional Dementia Assessment Scales. The patients were in a psychogeriatric unit, a somatic long‐stay unit, eight nursing homes and 15 homes for the aged with a total number of 1403 beds. Behavioural symptoms were found in 65% of the patients and were classified into six syndromes: escape, aggression, restlessness, wandering, regression and verbally disruptive behaviour.