Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia as a Risk Factor for Nursing Home Placement

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia, affecting nearly 4 million older Americans (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 1996). Behavioral and psychological signs and symptoms of dementia (BPSD), especially agitated behaviors, affect nearly 80% of patients with AD (Jost & Grossberg, 1996). Researchers have speculated that BPSD, especially agitation, are the leading risk factors or triggers for nursing home (NH) admission in AD patients (Chenoweth & Spencer, 1986; Colerick & George, 1986). In this article, we review the literature on risk factors for NH placement in AD, and share preliminary data from an ongoing study at the Saint Louis University /Alzheimer's Association Brain Bank relative to the role of the BPSD as a risk factor for NH placement.