Behavior problems of residents with dementia in special care units.
The prevalence and correlates of behavior problems were assessed among 614 residents with dementia living in 70 special care units (SCUs) throughout the country. We assessed behavior problems at admission, using a comprehensive measure of behavior problems, the Memory and Behavior Problems Checklist-Nursing Home version. Overall, behavior problems were quite prevalent, with some problems reported for > 90% of the sample. Emotional distress was a frequent area of concern, second only to memory-related problems. Although the overall number of behavior problems was not associated with cognitive impairment, age, or gender, item analyses revealed relationships between these variables and individual behavior problems. The applicability of these findings to the care of the SCU resident is discussed.
Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle 98195, USA.
A W
AW
Wagner
L
L
Teri
N
N
Orr-Rainey
D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001519:Behavior; D003704:Dementia / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009735:Nursing Homes; D015995:Prevalence; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales