Patterns of New Physical Problems Emerging in Long-Term Care Residents With Dementia

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2017

Publisher

Slack Incorporated

Source Publication

Journal of Gerontological Nursing

Source ISSN

0098-9134

Original Item ID

DOI: 10.3928/00989134-20170310-01

Abstract

Individuals receiving skilled nursing care have multiple comorbid conditions that impact comfort and resource use. The current study describes variations in the trajectories of new physical problems emerging over 8 weeks and the predictive value for future health and behavior in a sample of 72 residents with dementia. Residents had two to 37 new physical problems occurring over 8 weeks. Sixty-five percent of the sample had five or more new problems and were identified by three unstable trajectories. Common problems, illnesses, and symptoms accounted for 28.2% of the variance in subsequent new physical problems (p < 0.001) and 25.7% of the variance in subsequent agitation (p < 0.001). This study found more new problems than earlier studies that only examined new acute illness. Findings suggest a higher intensity of need for skilled assessment and treatment than may be available in many long-term care organizations. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 43(8), 25–32.]

Comments

Journal of Gerontological Nursing, Vol. 43, No. 8 (2017): 25-32. DOI.

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