Behavioural Activities in Demented Geriatric Patients

Abstract

A total of 136 patients in a psychogeriatric department (mean age 76.4) were evaluated by members of the nursing staff on behavioural variables (mobility, washing, dressing, eating, control of bladder and bowels, ability to communicate, orientation in space, recognition of persons, participation, hobbies, sleep, quietness). This dementia test, which is a modification of Isaacs and Walkey’s [1964] test, was carried out on 124 of the patients. The results suggested that some behavioural activities disappear at the onset of dementia, whereas others are not lost until a late phase. Certain abilities are lost within a relatively short period, while others deteriorate more slowly. It further seemed that demented old people can be classified confidently into different degree-of-dementia groups in terms of psychometric test scores. The test scores correlated well with the ability to communicate (r = 0.82), orientation in space (r = 0.76) and recognition of persons (r = 0.74), and they also bore a marked positive relationship to most of the other behavioural variables.

Efficacy and Side Effects of Chloral Hydrate and Tryptophan as Sleeping Aids in Psychogeriatric Patients

“…None of them had par ticipated in the earlier studies concerning hypnotics. Inclusion criteria were: (1) a mild dementia, which was defined as an over 20 but less than 40% decrement of mental perfor mance normal for the age in Helsinki (Ferm, 1974); (2) a stable state of health, and (3) a need for sleep medication because of an initial sleep latency of more than 45 min or waking up more than twice during the night. Patients with a stable daytime neuroleptic medication were included; see table I.…”

“…Strength of hand grip and tapping speed were the motor functions measured (Linnoila and Viukari, 1976). Patients' ability to take care of themselves was rated using a standardized scale (Ferm, 1974).…”

Prevalence of Dementia Syndromes in Persons Living in Homes for the Elderly and in Nursing Homes in Southern Sweden

“…Impaired memory and impaired orientation are the main features in the dementia syndrome (Table V), but symptoms such as impaired motor functions (Table VII) might be of as great importance as impairment in emotional and intellectual functions when related to the nursing load for the ward personnel. Dementia symptoms are very closely correlated to impairment in ADL functions (3,19) which results in a heavy nursing load for the ward personnel. Also, symptoms that are not dementia symptoms per se, but which are symptoms common in dementia, might constitute great treatment problems in senile dementia (Table VIII).…”

Treatment of Moderate to Severe Alzheimer's Disease: Rationale and Trial Design

“…32 The Ferm's D-test was used as a secondary measure of functioning. 33 Treatment effects favoured memantine on all measures. In a 28-week double-blind, placebocontrolled, parallel group trial of memantine, 252 patients with moderate to severe AD were studied by Reisberg et al 34 Inclusion criteria included MMSE scores of 3-14 and a GDS of 5 or 6.…”