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Dementia patients were overrepresented in the inedible substance ingestion incidents. Items they wore or applied to their bodies were often subject to ingestion, and such behaviours mostly occurred around meal time. Therefore, the nursing staff were able to discover them quickly and treat most of the cases free of serious consequences. In contrast, schizophrenic patients were underrepresented in the incidents, and most cases involved ingestion of detergent powder or cigarettes, resulting in more serious consequences and requiring treatment.

HVN can have a positive impact on family caregivers involved in dementia care, as well as on the recipients' psychological status. Overall, the experience of HVN made the family caregivers more positive about home care for their family member with dementia. Although further case studies are needed to make definitive conclusions, we believe that HVN could play a key role in the forthcoming New Orange Plan.

Purpose: This study compared age differences in risk factors for falls requiring treatment in psychiatric patients. Design and Methods: An incident database was used to compare fall incidents in patients aged less than 65 years and those aged greater than or equal to 65 years. Findings: Approximately 30% of fallers were less than 65 years. Mental status and medication were the main risk factors. Decreased activities of daily living were associated with the most falls in patients greater than or equal to 65 years. Practice Implications: Fall risk differed between the two age groups. Medication may play a major role in falls among patients less than 65 years.

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