The role of mental morbidity in the nursing home experience.
The history of a newly admitted cohort to eight nursing homes (N = 454) was studied prospectively over the first year of residence. Data were gathered at admission, 2 months, and 1 year, and included full psychiatric examination and staff reports of behavior. Chart reviews collected additional data on preadmission and postdischarge information. At admission, 80% of the population had mental illnesses, 60% of which were dementia, and about half of demented patients had other complicating mental illnesses. Use of mixed-effects linear model analysis revealed significant associations of mental morbidity, restraints, and psychotropic medication with behaviors indicative of noncoping and nonadaptation to the nursing home settings.
German
P S
PS
Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins University, Health Services Research and Development Center, Baltimore, MD 21205.
Rovner
B W
BW
Burton
L C
LC
Brant
L J
LJ
Clark
R
R
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003704:Dementia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008396:Maryland / Q000453:epidemiology; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009017:Morbidity; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies