Effects of a nursing-home respite admission on veterans with advanced dementia.
The short-term admission to a nursing home of patients with dementia represents an important respite option for their caregivers, yet little is known about how it affects the patients. Twenty-six of 39 men admitted to a Veterans Affairs dementia respite program experienced a small but statistically significant decline in self-care and behavior at 2 days after discharge, but by 14 days most had returned to their pre-respite status. Patients who deteriorated substantially had, on average, greater independence in self-care and less cognitive impairment at admission than those who improved or worsened minimally.
Hirsch
C H
CH
Section of Geriatrics, University of California, Sacramento 95817.
Davies
H D
HD
Boatwright
F
F
Ochango
G
G
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002140:California; D017028:Caregivers; D003704:Dementia / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D009735:Nursing Homes; D010343:Patient Admission; D012144:Respite Care / Q000523:psychology*; D012648:Self Care; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*