Agitated behavior in elderly nursing home residents with dementia in Japan

This study is the first investigation of the frequency of agitated behaviors in elderly dementia patients in Japanese nursing homes using the Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory (J. Cohen-Mansfield, 1991). Despite major differences between Japanese and American cultures, findings were highly consistent with those of previous U.S. studies. Physically aggressive behavior, although evidenced by only 10-20% of the sample, comprised the strongest factor. A separate factor for verbal agitation also emerged. The behaviors declined during the evening and night shifts. In both the Japanese and U.S. samples, wandering, general restlessness, verbal agitation such as repetitious questioning, cursing, and complaining occurred most frequently. Another 4-point scale was used to code the degree to which agitated behavior occurred during eating, dressing, bathing, and toileting for each resident. The majority of aggressive behavior occurred in relation to personal caregiving, especially in regard to bathing. Despite major cultural differences, Japanese findings paralleled previous U.S. results.