title: Special care units for demented patients: a multicenter study.
abstract: The local government of Regione Lombardia, Italy, recently (1994) funded a clinical and research project specifically devoted to dementia (Piano Alzheimer). A central role in this project has been reserved for the special care units (SCUs) for demented patients with behavioral disturbances. In order to evaluate their effectiveness, eight SCUs took part in this study. A specifically designed care program, focusing on environment and staff, was implemented in each SCU. Cognitive, functional, and somatic health status, and use of psychotropic drugs and of physical restraints were assessed at baseline, and after 3 and 6 months in 55 consecutively admitted patients. The data show an overall reduction in behavioral disturbances and a decreased use of psychotropic drugs and physical restraints.
authors.affiliation: Geriatric Research Group, Brescia, Italy. grg@master.cci.unibs.it
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bellelli
authors.forename: G B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Frisoni
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bianchetti
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Boffelli
authors.forename: G B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Guerrini
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Scotuzzi
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ranieri
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ritondale
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Guglielmi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fusari
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Raggi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gasparotti
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gheza
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nobili
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Trabucchi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006782:Hospitals, Special / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008609:Mental Status Schedule; D008875:Middle Aged; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration; D012920:Social Behavior Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome