1Principal, Baby Memorial College of Nursing, Kozhikode, Kerala, India
2Director, School of Behavioural Sciences, M.G. University, Kottayam, Kerala, India
Online published on 1 August, 2014.
This study aims to assess the prevalence of Behavioural problems associated with Alzheimers dementia and related distress.
Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD) are usually reported by care givers of dementia clients as the most difficult to manage problems associated with dementia.
A descriptive study design in which 389 clients diagnosed with Alzheimers disease were included. Convenience sampling was used to select subjects for the study. Prevalence and distress related to behavioral problems were assessed using Neuro Psychiatric Inventory (NPI) in 389 persons diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.
Results showed that 84.3 percent had various types of Behavioural Problems. Most common BPSD were irritability (60.9%) delusions (54.2%) and depression (43.4%). Also BPSD showed a significant correlation with distress in care giver.
The findings of this study showed high prevalence of BPSD in demented persons.
Also there was significant correlation between BPSD and distress in care givers. Hence the significance of assessing BPSD in every client diagnosed with Alzheimer's dementia and the need for devising strategies to manage BPSD are highlighted through this study.
Behavioural and Psychological Problems of Dementia, Care giver, Distress, Prevalence
