title: Correlates among nocturnal agitation, sleep, and urinary incontinence in dementia.
abstract: Family caregivers of elders with dementia often face the challenging behaviors of nighttime agitation, sleep disturbances, and urinary incontinence. To date, no study has examined the interrelationships of these behaviors in community-dwelling persons. This single group, descriptive study employs wireless body sensors to objectively collect data on nighttime agitation, sleep, and urinary incontinence in patients with dementia in their homes over a 5- to 7-day period. The aims are to (1) examine the feasibility and acceptability of the use of body sensors in community-dwelling persons with dementia; (2) describe patterns of nocturnal agitation, sleep continuity and duration, and nighttime urinary incontinence; and (3) examine the relationships among nocturnal agitation, sleep continuity and duration, and nighttime urinary incontinence. Data collection is in early stages and is still in progress. Challenges and advantages from preliminary data collection are reported.
authors.affiliation: University of Virginia, School of Nursing, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rose
authors.affiliation: The University of Iowa, College of Nursing, Iowa City, IA, USA janet-specht@uiowa.edu.
authors.forename: Janet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Specht
authors.affiliation: University of Virginia, School of Nursing, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
authors.forename: Windy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Forch
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003704:Dementia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018670:Monitoring, Ambulatory / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D011595:Psychomotor Agitation / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012890:Sleep / Q000502:physiology*; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000503:physiopathology*
keywords: agitation; caregivers; community dwelling; dementia; incontinence; sensors; sleep