Agitated Behavior and Cognitive Functioning in Nursing Home Residents

Agitation is a significant problem for nursing home residents, their families, and their caretakers. Previous literature suggests that agitation is related to dementia and cognitive deterioration in the elderly, but no empirical studies support this relationship. This study tests the relationship between level of cognitive functioning and the nature and level of agitation in nursing home residents. Nurses rated one hundred sixty-five nursing home residents on cognitive functioning and agitation. Results indicate that agitation is prevalent among all types of nursing home residents and that cognitively impaired residents exhibit more agitation than cognitively intact residents. The highest levels of agitation appear to be exhibited by those with moderate levels of cognitive impairment. Manifestations of agitation differ between cognitively intact and cognitively impaired residents: agitated behaviors of cognitively intact residents resemble coping mechanisms, while cognitively impaired residents manifest a wide range of inappropriate behaviors.