Influences of Prolonged Bed Rest and Cognitive Impairment on Nursing Home Residents

Abstract

Seventy nursing home residents with and 87 without cerebrovascular diseases (CVD) were examined by the modified Stockton Geriatric Rating Scale (modified SGRS) which measures four aspects of impairments; physical disability, socially irritating behavior, communication failure and apathy. They were divided into 3 subgroups according to walking ability; prolonged bed rest, walking with aids and walking by themselves in both groups. Physical disability of mental decline was significantly aggravated more than that of normal intelligence in all the subgroups. Although communication failure and apathy of mental decline had deteriorated more than those of normal intelligence in prolonged bed rest in residents without CVD, apathy of the former had deteriorated more than that of the latter in walking by themselves in residents with CVD.

Mental status of the elderly receiving home health services and the associated stress of home helpers

“…Since grades 1 and 2 are rated as normal, their intellectual level was not clearly diminished. The present results along with prior studies (Nagatomo et al, 1992;Horiguchi et al, 1996) showed that the intellectual level of the elderly receiving home health services was higher compared with that of nursing home residents. Abnormal behaviors of the elderly such as agitation, combativeness, and wandering interfere with the provision of care in a nursing home, lower the morale of sta and detract from the QOL of the elderly (Rovner et al, 1986).…”

“…We (Nagatomo et al, 1992) also have investigated the intellectual level of the elderly residing in a nursing home in Japan using the same assessment scales as the present study and estimated that about 40% showed mental decline. On the other hand, Horiguchi et al (1996) have investigated the elderly receiving home health services in a Prefecture in Japan and found that 80% of subjects were rated as having normal intellectual functioning, and only 5% of them were rated as having severe or extreme dementia.…”

“…Each ability consists of stages from 1 to 5, and a low stage indicates greater impairment. Using this scale, we have investigated the relationship between ADL and psychotic problems in the elderly (Nagatomo et al 1997a(Nagatomo et al , 1997b.…”

“…We previously have investigated intellectual levels, depressive state and quality of life (QOL) of elderly admitted to a nursing home or who utilized a day service center (Nagatomo et al, 1992(Nagatomo et al, , 1993(Nagatomo et al, , 1994(Nagatomo et al, , 1995(Nagatomo et al, , 1997a. In the present study, we investigated the mental status of elderly patients being cared for by home helpers and also examined the stress level of home health caregivers.…”