Abstract
During a period of 22 months 147 consecutive residents with behavioural disturbances from 80% of the Copenhagen nursing homes were referred to a visiting team of consulting specialists. Each resident was evaluated clinically, and data were recorded in a database. The conditions thought to represent the underlying etiologies were dementia (79%), delirium (28%) and depression (35%). The most commonly observed behavioural symptoms were aggressiveness, vocally disruptive behavior and non-aggressive psychomotor symptoms. The most common interventions suggested by the team were further diagnostic evaluations, adjustment of pharmaceutical treatment, using the life history of the resident as a reference for behaviour management, and psychological behavior management. There is a need for increased focus on systematic diagnosis and treatment of behavioural disorders, observed in nursing homes, which often have multifactorial etiology.
Translated title of the contribution | Behavioral disorders in nursing home residents. 147 consecutive referrals to an interdisciplinary team of consulting specialists |
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Original language | Danish |
Journal | Ugeskrift for Laeger |
Volume | 161 |
Issue number | 43 |
Pages (from-to) | 5915-9 |
Number of pages | 5 |
ISSN | 0041-5782 |
Publication status | Published - 25 Oct 1999 |