Agitation in Elderly Persons: An Integrative Report of Findings in a Nursing Home

TLDR

Agitated behaviors in nursing homes—aggressive, physically nonaggressive, and verbally agitated—present significant challenges, with nonaggressive behaviors potentially adaptive, verbal behaviors possibly help‑seeking, and aggressive behaviors poorly understood but linked to advanced dementia and strained relationships. The study aims to use these findings as a foundation for future research to enhance care for agitated elderly residents. Data revealed that aggressive, physically nonaggressive, and verbally agitated behaviors differ in their associations with medical and psychosocial factors.

Abstract

Agitated behaviors in the nursing home pose a major problem for caregivers. Our data showed that the three syndromes of agitation—aggressive behaviors, physically nonaggressive behaviors, and verbally agitated behaviors—are differentially related to medical and psychosocial variables. Physically nonaggressive behaviors may be adaptive for a resident who presents a deteriorated stage of dementia, since these behaviors offer stimulation and exercise. Verbally agitated behaviors may be a form of help-seeking behaviors for residents with physical disease and depressed affect. Aggressive behaviors are those least understood, although these behaviors correlate with advanced stages of dementia and with poor interpersonal relationships. These findings should be a basis for further studies, with the ultimate goal being improved care for agitated elderly persons.