Care for demented patients in different living conditions: Effects on cognitive function, ADL-capacity and behaviour

Abstract

Objective - To assess if and how demented patients’ living conditions affect their level of functioning.

Design - A prospective concurrent control-study.

Setting - Sundsvall, an industrial community in the middle of Sweden.

Participants - Forty-six demented patients in group-living (GL-group) and 62 controls (C-group).

Main outcome measure - Cognitive function, ADL-capacity and behaviour were measured every third month during one year.

Results - Both groups deteriorated, but the decline was significantly slower in the GL-group regarding some ADL-functions, e.g. dressing and motor functions, whereas some behavioural disturbances were significantly more frequent in the GL-group. No differences were observed regarding the level of cognitive function. Conclusion - the living condition has small effects on cognitive function and ADL-capacity. the behavioural disturbances observed in GL should be the focus of future research.

Key Words:

• dementia
• group living
• ADL-capacity
• cognitive function
• behaviour