RISK OF BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS AMONG NURSING-HOME RESIDENTS IN THE UNITED-STATES

This study identified personal risk factors associated with behavior p roblems among nursing home residents using data based on a national su rvey of nursing home residents. Data are based on the Institutional Po pulation Component of the 1987 National Medical Expenditure Survey and include nursing home residents living in licensed facilities on Janua ry 1, 1987. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to examine cha racteristics of residents that place them at risk of behavior problems . Independent variables include physical functioning, sensory impairme nt, cognitive impairment, psychiatric diagnoses, and demographics. Ele ven behavior problems grouped into four categories based on factor ana lysis serve as dependent variables: wandering/safety, aggressive behav iors, collecting behaviors, and delusions/hallucinations. Risk factors emerging as predictors included sex (male), cognitive impairment, ADL dependency, incontinence, psychiatric history, receptive communicatio n, walking, and difficulty seeing. Risk factors differ by type of beha vior problem. Results suggest a multiple etiology in which biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors all play a role in generatin g behavior problems in the long-term care setting.