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

Research Institute, Hebrew Home of Greater Washington, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Rockville, Maryland

Perla Werner, MA

Marcia S. Marx, PhD

Research Institute, Hebrew Home of Greater Washington, Rockville, Maryland

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.

American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias®, Vol. 9, No. 4, 30-34 (1994)
DOI: 10.1177/153331759400900406


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