Impact of Underlying Depression on Treatment of Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Older Adults with Dementia

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Linda L. Buettner, Professor (Creator)
William N. Dudley, Professor Public Health Education (Creator)
Suzanne Fitzsimmons, Research Associate for the GWEP (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/

Abstract: This article examines the moderating effect of depression on interdisciplinary treatment approaches for behaviors in dementia. A secondary analysis of data collected on tailored treatment of 105 long-term care residents with dementia found a significant relationship between treatment and passivity (p < 0.001), treatment and agitation (p = 0.001), and the mediating effect of change in passivity on change in agitation (p < 0.001). The moderating effect of depression was found as a significant factor. For participants with depression and agitation, a significant change in passive behavior was related to significant change in agitated behavior. Thus, by focusing treatment on passivity, both types of neuropsychiatric behaviors improved. The implications of thoroughly assessing not only a behavior problem such as agitation but also other neuropsychiatric symptoms that complicate the delivery of the intervention are discussed.

Additional Information

Publication
Research in Gerontological Nursing,3(3):221-32
Language: English
Date: 2010
Keywords
Depression, Dementia, Neuropsychiatric symptoms, Passivity

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