Care for demented patients in different living conditions. Effects on cognitive function, ADL-capacity and behaviour.
OBJECTIVE
To assess if and how demented patients' living conditions affect their level of functioning.


METHODS
A prospective concurrent control-study.


METHODS
Sundsvall, an industrial community in the middle of Sweden.


METHODS
Forty-six demented patients in group-living (GL-group) and 62 controls (C-group).


METHODS
Cognitive function, ADL-capacity and behaviour were measured every third month during one year.


RESULTS
Both groups deteriorated, but the decline was significantly slower in the GL-group regarding some ADL-functions, e.g. dressing and motor functions, whereas some behavioural disturbances were significantly more frequent in the GL-group. No differences were observed regarding the level of cognitive function.


CONCLUSIONS
The living condition has small effects on cognitive function and ADL-capacity. The behavioural disturbances observed in GL should be the focus of future research.
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D003071:Cognition; D003704:Dementia / Q000451:nursing* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D016352:Group Homes / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013548:Sweden