ADJUSTMENT TO RESIDENTIAL PLACEMENT IN ALZHEIMER-DISEASE PATIENTS - DOES PREMORBID PERSONALITY MATTER

Aim. To evaluate the influence of premorbid personality on adaptation to placement in a long-term care facility. Subjects. Twenty-eight pers ons with probable Alzheimer disease (AD) residing in an academically a ffiliated nursing home for 6-9 months. Methods. Premorbid personality was described retrospectively by two informants for each resident usin g the revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PI-R). Standardized tests and rating scales were used on admission to the facility to assess co gnition, mood state, physical dependency and general health. Nurses ra ted each AD resident's social behaviour, participation in activities a nd quality of sleep. Results. Poorer adjustment was associated with mo re severe dementia but better physical health. None of the NEO-PI-R do main scores predicted adjustment. Conclusions. Contrary to popular bel ief, premorbid personality is relatively inconsequential for an AD pat ient's adaptation to a long-term care facility. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.