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Which unmet needs contribute to behavior problems in persons with advanced dementia?
Jiska Cohen-Mansfield1, Maha Dakheel-Ali2, Marcia S Marx2
1Herczeg Institute on Aging, Minerva Center for the Interdisciplinary Study of End of Life, and Department of Health Promotion, School of Public Health, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, P.O.B. 39040, Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel; Innovative Aging Research, Silver Spring, MD 20902, USA; George Washington University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20037, USA.
Psychiatry Research
|May 3, 2015
Summary
Problem behaviors in dementia are linked to unmet needs. This study identified boredom, loneliness, and lack of meaningful activity as key unmet needs in nursing home residents with dementia.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Psychiatry
- Nursing
Background:
- Problem behaviors in dementia are often linked to unmet needs.
- Dementia impairs communication and self-care abilities, exacerbating unmet needs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the unmet needs of individuals with dementia who exhibit behavioral problems.
- To identify prevalent unmet needs contributing to behavioral issues in nursing home residents.
Main Methods:
- Eighty-nine nursing home residents with dementia were assessed using multiple tools.
- Research assistants and nursing assistants identified unmet needs through systematic evaluation.
Main Results:
- An average of three unmet needs were identified per resident.
- Boredom, loneliness, and the need for meaningful activity were the most common unmet needs.
- Discomfort correlated with increased verbal agitation; pain/discomfort may be under-detected.
Conclusions:
- Methodologies exist to uncover unmet needs in dementia care.
- Programs addressing social and activity needs are crucial for nursing home residents.
- Detecting pain and discomfort in dementia may require specialized assessment methods.
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