An assessment and intervention study of aggressive behavior in cognitively impaired institutionalized elderly

Abstract

Aggressive behavior is a common problem among elder persons suffering from dementia. It puts themselves, and other persons around them at risk of being injured. 1 This qualitative study observed four individuals with Senile Dementia of the Alzheimer's Type (SDAT) who were living in a long term care facility and demonstrated a great deal of aggressive behavior It assessed these individuals for a baseline of behaviors, made environmental changes, and assessed the results. The interventions were successful in decreasing the amount and intensity of the aggressive behavior in three of the individuals studied. The pattern of aggressive behavior and possible causes of this behavior seemed to originate from distinct causes in each of these individuals. 2