The impact of infection on agitation: Three case studies in the nursing home

Jiska Cohen-Mansfield, Perla Werner, Marcia S. Marx

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

Agitation is a major problem in the demented elderly, and may be related to pain and discomfort. The aim of this article is to investigate the relationship between agitation and infection in three highly agitated cognitively impaired nursing home residents. Agitation was assessed using the Agitation Behavior Mapping Instrument (ABMI), a nonobtrusive assessment tool used for direct observation and recording ofagitated behaviors. Information concerning antibiotic drug use was extractedfrom the participants'charts. A relationship was inferred between the presence of an infection (as suggested by antibiotic medication use) and higher levels of agitation. Elucidating the possible antecedents of the agitated behaviors is the first step in the management of these disruptive behaviors.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)30-34
Number of pages5
JournalAmerican Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and other Dementias
Volume9
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 1994
Externally publishedYes

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