DELUSIONS AND HALLUCINATIONS IN AN ADULT DAY-CARE POPULATION - A LONGITUDINAL-STUDY

The frequency of the manifestation of delusions and hallucinations (d/ h) among participants of adult day care centers was examined, as was t he relationship of d/h to demographic and medical variables, agitation , depressed affect, and dementia. Changes in d/h to demographic and me dical variables, agitation, depressed affect, and dementia. Changes in d/h were also assessed over a 1-year period, and those changes were c ompared with changes in agitation, depressed affect, and dementia. Dep ressed affect and agitation were related both to delusions and to hall ucinations. Dementia was also related to d/h, although a substantial p ercentage of individuals who were not diagnosed with dementia also exp erienced some type of d/h. Finally, delusions were more prevalent and generally tended to relate more strongly to agitation, depressed affec t, and dementia than did hallucinations.