CNE Article

Anxiety, Depression, and Cognitive Impairment in Dementia-Specific and Traditional Assisted Living

Hyunwook Kang, PhD, RN; Marianne Smith, PhD, ARNP, BC; Kathleen C. Buckwalter, PhD, RN, FAAN; Vicki Ellingrod, PharmD; Susan K. Schultz, MD

  • Journal of Gerontological Nursing
  • January 2010 - Volume 36 · Issue 1: 18-30
  • DOI: 10.3928/00989134-20091204-01
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Abstract

With the rapid growth of the assisted living (AL) industry, the number of AL residences providing dementia care continues to increase. The purpose of this article is to describe and compare demographic characteristics; frequency and type of psychiatric diagnoses; level of cognition, depression, and anxiety symptoms; and use of psychotropic medication among older adults in dementia-specific assisted living (DSAL) and traditional assisted living (TAL) residences. Secondary analysis of screening data collected during a cross-sectional, descriptive pilot project compared 18 participants from two DSAL facilities and 28 participants from three TAL facilities. DSAL participants with dementia were more cognitively impaired than TAL participants with dementia (p < 0.001) and used more antipsychotic (67%), anxiolytic (60%), antidepressant (53%), and cognitive-enhancing (87%) medications. No statistically significant differences in demographic factors or levels of anxiety or depression were observed among residents in either setting.

AUTHORS

Dr. Kang is an Adult and Gerontological Nurse Practitioner student, Dr. Smith is Assistant Professor, and Dr. Buckwalter is Sally Mathis Hartwig Professor of Gerontological Nursing Research, and Director, John A. Hartford Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence, The University of Iowa College of Nursing, and Dr. Schultz is Professor, The University of Iowa College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa. Dr. Ellingrod is Associate Professor, University of Michigan College of Pharmacy, Ann Arbor, Michigan. At the time this project was developed and implemented, Dr. Ellingrod was affiliated with The University of Iowa College of Pharmacy.

The authors disclose that they have no significant financial interests in any product or class of products discussed directly or indirectly in this activity. This project was supported by the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR/F33NR009156), The University of Iowa Gerontological Nursing Interventions Research Center (NIH #P30 NR03979; Toni Tripp-Reimer, PI), and the Hartford Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence (Kathleen C. Buckwalter, PI). The contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not represent official views of the NINR nor the John A. Hartford Foundation.

Address correspondence to Hyunwook Kang, PhD, RN, The University of Iowa College of Nursing, 50 Newton Road, Iowa City, IA 52242; e-mail: .hyunwook-kang@uiowa.edu

doi: 10.3928/00989134-20091204-01

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