Title
Incontinence and troublesome behaviors predict institutionalization in dementia
UMMS Affiliation
Department of Neurology; Department of Psychiatry
Publication Date
1992-01-01
Document Type
Article
Subjects
Activities of Daily Living; Aged; Aggression; Alzheimer Disease; Caregivers; Fecal Incontinence; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Institutionalization; Life Tables; Male; Massachusetts; *Social Behavior; Urinary Incontinence
Disciplines
Neurology | Neuroscience and Neurobiology
Abstract
Factors predicting the early institutionalization of demented patients were studied in 143 outpatients using univariate and multivariate life-table methods. Four types of factors were evaluated for prognostic value: severity of functional impairment, behavioral disorders, individual patient characteristics, and type of caregiver. After follow-up of 19 +/- 12 months, 51 patients had been institutionalized. Increased global severity of dementia, the presence of troublesome and disruptive behaviors, and incontinence increased the likelihood of institutionalization. The best predictors of institutionalization were paranoia, aggressive behavior, and incontinence. Neither individual patient characteristics (age, education, and gender) nor caregiver relationship to the patient (male spouse, female spouse, and male or female child) influenced institutionalization. Since troublesome behavioral disorders are potentially treatable aspects of dementia leading to institutionalization, their management should be a major focus of therapy in dementia.
Source
J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol. 1992 Jan-Mar;5(1):45-52.
Journal/Book/Conference Title
Journal of geriatric psychiatry and neurology
Related Resources
PubMed ID
1571074
Repository Citation
O'Donnell BF, Drachman DA, Barnes HJ, Peterson KE, Swearer JM, Lew RA. (1992). Incontinence and troublesome behaviors predict institutionalization in dementia. Neurology Publications. Retrieved from https://escholarship.umassmed.edu/neuro_pp/204