Work

Interventions for the Behavioral Complications of Alzheimer’s Disease:Behavioral Approaches

Year: 1996

Type: review

Abstract: A majority of patients with dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT) display behavioral disturbances of varying degrees of severity. These disturbances include both behavioral excesses and deficits. The behavioral excesses reported in this population include physical aggression, wandering, and disruptive vocalization, to name but a few (Burgio et al., 1988b). Disruptive behaviors have been reported in at least 50% of individuals diagnosed with DAT (Cummings et al., 1987). Research has shown that individuals with dementia frequently display severe deficits in performing activities of daily living such as feeding, bathing, and dressing (Burgio et al., 1988b). Although these deficits are, in part, a natural result of the dementing illness, it has long been recognized by gerontologists that many demented individuals display “excess deficits” (Brody et al., 1971), i.e., symptoms of functional incapacity greater than those warranted by the actual organic impairment.

Source: International Psychogeriatrics

DOI: 10.1017/s1041610296003079

Author: Louis Burgio

Institutions: University of Alabama, University of Alabama at Birmingham, UAB Medicine

Language: English

Topic: Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research

Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,500