The use of the neuropsychiatric inventory in nursing home residents - Characterization and measurement

The authors assessed the validity of the nursing home version of the Neurop sychiatric Inventory-Nursing Home Version (NPI-NH), comparing the responses of certified nurses' aides (CNAs) and licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) wi th research observations. Correlations were significant but moderate for al l of the domains of the NPI-NH (delusions, hallucinations, agitation/aggres sion depression, apathy disinhibition, euphoria, irritability/lability, and aberrant motor disturbances) except anxiety and appetite disturbance. The LVNs' ratings showed consistently higher correlations with the researchers' behavioral observations than did the CNAs: but were moderate and generally better for residents with high levels of neuropsychiatric symptoms, thus, caution should be used with any untrained rater in the nursing home setting . The NPI-NH used by non-research staff can be useful in identifying reside nts with significant neuropsychiatric disturbances, but may be limited as a n instrument for tracking behavioral changes.