This study examined the relationship of personal characteristics of 107 elderly nursing home residents with dementia and their use of behavior-modifying drugs. A comparative design was used with two groups (receiving or not receiving drugs) to examine differences in cognitive, physical and social functioning. Findings included more hospitalizations among subjects not receiving drugs; and more impaired judgment and irritable behaviors, yet increased independence in moving about the environment, among subjects receiving drugs. These findings underscore the needforfrequent assessment of all residents andfor using non-pharmacological strategies even though drugs are administered.
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