Dementia Care Research and Psychosocial Factors

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Environmental Health
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Agitation is a common and challenging behavior in older adults with cognitive impairment (CI).
• It causes significant distress for caregivers and can accelerate disease progression.
• Non-pharmacological interventions, including environmental modifications, are recommended as first-line treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify environmental and behavioral precipitants of agitation in older adults with CI.
• To investigate the relationship between indoor environmental quality and agitation levels.
• To inform non-pharmacological strategies for managing agitation.

Main Methods:

• Recruited older adults with CI living with family caregivers in the Portland, Oregon area.
• Collected weekly agitation data using the Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory-Short Form.
• Measured indoor environmental parameters (noise, temperature, air quality) using the Awair Omni device.

Main Results:

• Noise, overall environmental quality score (Awair Score), and temperature were significantly associated with agitation levels.
• Decreasing effect sizes were observed for noise, Awair Score, and temperature.
• Data from 10 dyads were analyzed over a mean period of 52.6 weeks.

Conclusions:

• Multiple indoor environmental factors are linked to agitation in people living with CI.
• Holistic improvements in air quality and other environmental features warrant investigation.
• Environmental modifications show promise for mitigating agitation in this population.