Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences Large Type Edition
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     

This Article
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Cohen-Mansfield, J.
Right arrow Articles by Werner, P.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Cohen-Mansfield, J.
Right arrow Articles by Werner, P.

Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, Vol 53, Issue 1 M65-M71, Copyright © 1998 by The Gerontological Society of America

JOURNAL ARTICLE

Longitudinal changes in behavioral problems in old age: a study in an adult day care population

J Cohen-Mansfield and P Werner
Research Institute of the Hebrew Home of Greater Washington, USA.

BACKGROUND: Four types of agitation have been identified: physically aggressive behaviors, physically nonaggressive behaviors, verbally aggressive behaviors, and verbally nonaggressive behaviors. These pose a major challenge to caregivers and are sometimes indicators of the emotional state of the older person. Longitudinal changes in these four subtypes of agitated behaviors were examined. METHODS: One hundred and four community-dwelling participants of five senior day care centers (mean age = 79) were followed up for 2 years. Their agitation was assessed, as was their cognitive functioning, affect, and medical functioning. RESULTS: Although physically nonaggressive, physically aggressive, and verbally aggressive behaviors increased significantly over 2 years, verbally nonaggressive behaviors did not show significant changes over time. These patterns can be partially explained by the relationship between the different types of agitation and cognitive functioning. Increases in physically nonaggressive behaviors from start to end of the 2 years were predicted by greater cognitive impairment at baseline and by receiving a smaller number of medications at baseline. Increases in verbally aggressive behaviors and in physically aggressive behaviors during the study period correlated significantly with a greater decline in cognitive functioning and increased depression at baseline. In addition, increases in physical aggression were correlated with greater cognitive impairment at baseline. CONCLUSIONS: The course of change for each type of agitation was unique. The relationships between inappropriate behaviors, cognitive functioning, physical health, and depression over time are complex and vary by type of agitation.


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 GerontologistHome page
L. D. Burgio, N. S. Park, J. M. Hardin, and F. Sun
A Longitudinal Examination of Agitation and Resident Characteristics in the Nursing Home
Gerontologist, October 1, 2007; 47(5): 642 - 649.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 AJGPHome page
P. N. Tariot
Neuropsychiatric Features of Dementia: What is the Big Picture?
Am J Geriatr Psychiatry, July 1, 2006; 14(7): 557 - 560.
[Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Research on AgingHome page
N. G. Kutner, P. J. Brown, R. C. Stavisky, W. S. Clark, and R. C. Green
"Friendship" Interactions and Expression of Agitation among Residents of a Dementia Care Unit: Six-Month Observational Data
Research on Aging, March 1, 2000; 22(2): 188 - 205.
[Abstract] [PDF]


HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
All GSA journals The Gerontologist
Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences
Copyright © 1998 by The Gerontological Society of America.