Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia of Psychogeriatric Inpatients on Admission to a Psychiatric Hospital

Author： Harper Lori Reddon John R. Ward Jennie R. Lyle Anne M Moorthy Thamarai Brahim Asad

ISSN： 0731-7115

Source： Clinical Gerontologist, Vol.30, Iss.3, 2007-04, pp. : 53-63

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Abstract

Prevalence of Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD) was measured in 75 (45 men, 30 women) new admissions to an acute care dementia unit in a psychiatric hospital. Participants aged 64-97 years were administered a Mini Mental Status Examination within one or two days of admission. The behaviors of the participants were evaluated in each of the three work shifts (i.e., at 7:00 a.m., 3:00 p.m., and 11:00 p.m.) using the Behavioral Severity Scale. The three ratings per day were obtained each day for two weeks upon admission, and one month later each day for one week. Results indicate that the prevalence of challenging behaviors in the patients observed in this study is very low. There was less evidence for a "sundowning" (i.e., progressive deterioration over the course of the day) effect than a day in contrast to night effect. doi:10.1300/J018v30n03_04