Implementing physical exercise and music interventions for patients suffering from dementia on an acute psychogeriatric inpatient ward.

Increasing attention is focusing on psychosocial interventions for treating patients with dementia. This observational intervention study investigated the impact of physical exercise and music interventions among patients with dementia on an acute psychogeriatric ward. The data were collected during February 2009-December 2010 ( = 89; treatment as usual) and during April 2011-March 2013 ( = 86; treatment as usual with physical exercise, e.

Outcome of neuropsychiatric symptoms and daily functioning of patients with dementia treated on an acute psychogeriatric ward.

Background: Dementia is associated with progressive deterioration in multiple cognitive domains, functional impairment and neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS).

Aims: The aim of this study was to explore the factors associated with the outcome of NPS and daily functioning in patients with dementia during acute psychogeriatric hospitalization.

Materials And Method: The data (n = 175) were collected between 2009 and 2013 in naturalistic settings on one acute psychogeriatric ward at one university hospital in Finland.

Acute Psychogeriatric Inpatient Treatment Improves Neuropsychiatric Symptoms but Impairs the Level of Functioning in Patients with Dementia.

Aims: To explore the impact of hospitalization on neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) and the level of functioning in patients with dementia. Our aim was also to study the influence of psychotropic medications.

Methods: Behavioral disturbances, cognition and functional status of 89 patients were assessed using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI), Mini-Mental State Examination, Barthel Index, and Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study-Activities of Daily Living (ADCSADL).

Psychiatric hospital admission and long-term care in patients with very-late-onset schizophrenia-like psychosis.

Objective: In this register-based study the rates and durations of psychiatric hospitalizations were compared between patients with very-late-onset schizophrenia-like psychosis (VLOSLP, n = 918) and elderly patients with illness onset before 60 years (n = 6142). The proportion of patients ending up in long-term care (LTC) or long-lasting psychiatric hospital care (LLP) was also studied.

Methods: A sample of patients with schizophrenia aged 65 or over was collected from the Finnish Hospital Discharge Register.

Patients with very-late-onset schizoprhenia-like psychosis have higher mortality rates than elderly patients with earlier onset schizophrenia.

Objective: In this register-based study of schizophrenia patients aged 65 years or above, mortality and causes of death diagnosed at age of 60+ (very-late-onset schizophrenia-like psychosis, VLOSLP) were studied in comparison with sex- and age-matched general Finnish population. Standardized Mortality Ratios (SMRs) of VLOSLP patients were also compared with those of earlier onset (below 60 years) schizophrenia patients, and hazard of death was calculated between these patient groups.

Methods: The data was obtained from Finnish nationwide registers and consisted of 918 VLOSLP patients and 6142 earlier onset patients who were at least 65 years on 1 January 1999.

Change in antipsychotic usage pattern and risk of relapse in older patients with schizophrenia.

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the use of first (FGAs) and second generation antipsychotics (SGAs) in older outpatients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. Factors associated with schizophrenic relapses were also studied.

Methods: The study sample consisting of 8792 patients aged 64 years or more was collected from Finnish nationwide registers.

One-year follow-up after discontinuing maintenance electroconvulsive therapy.

Objectives: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has been established as an effective method in the treatment of severe depressive or psychotic disorders. Its efficacy is greatest in severe major depressive disorder (MDD) with or without psychotic symptoms. However, maintaining remission after a successful course of short-term ECT is often difficult owing to resistance to medication in these patients.

Mortality and causes of death in older patients with schizophrenia.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate mortality and causes of death in older patients with schizophrenia in comparison with the general population. The mortality of patients experiencing relapse was also compared with those in remission.

Methods: The study sample consists of patients (n = 9461) over 65 years by the first of January 1999, with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder (ICD-8, ICD-9: 295, ICD-10: F20, F25) as the main register diagnosis during the period 1969-1998.

[Hyponatremia due to psychoactive drugs is common in the elderly].

Hyponatremia due to psychoactive drugs commonly used in the treatment of elderly patients appears usually during the first weeks of treatment. Blood sodium level should be measured before the initiation of medication and checked after a few weeks. Symptoms suggesting hyponatremia in a patient under psychoactive medication are always an indication for checking the sodium level.

[Severe psychoses in the elderly--schizophrenia and delusional disorder].

The number of persons over 65 years of age with schizophrenia will increase in the future. Geriatric schizophrenia involves bizarre delusions and hallucinations similar to those occurring in younger schizophrenic patients. Delusions of an elderly delusional disorder patient focusing on the family and environment easily lead to social withdrawal.

Factors associated with non-use of antipsychotics among older residents with schizophrenia in long-term institutional care.

Objective: To investigate factors associated with non-use of antipsychotics among older schizophrenia residents in long-term institutional care.

Design: A retrospective study was designed using cross-sectional data gathered between 1 January and 30 June 2006 in Finland. Data were extracted from the Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) database, based on Minimum Data Set for long-term care facilities (MDS-LC) assessments.

Use of antipsychotic medications in older home-care patients. Report from nine European countries.

Background And Aims: Data on the use of antipsychotics among older people in need of regular home care services are rare. The aim of this study was to ascertain the differences in the use and type of antipsychotic medications between European home-care sites.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was designed by means of RAI (Resident Assessment Instrument for Home Care) assessments.

Use of antipsychotics in older home care patients in Finland.

Objective: To investigate the use of antipsychotic medications, and factors associated with such use, in elderly patients in home care in Finland.

Method: A retrospective study was designed using cross-sectional data gathered between 1 July and 31 December 2004 in Finland. Data were extracted from the Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) database, based on Minimum Data Set for Home Care (MDS-HC) assessments.

Use of antipsychotics among nonagenarian residents in long-term institutional care in Finland.

Background: There is a paucity of information about the use of antipsychotic medication in long-term care, especially among the oldest-old residents.

Objective: To analyse the factors associated with the use of antipsychotic medication among nonagenarian residents in long-term institutional care.

Design: A retrospective study was designed from cross-sectional data, gathered in the period 1 January 2003 to 30 June 2003, in Finland.

Use of antipsychotic medications among elderly residents in long-term institutional care: a three-year follow-up.

Objective: To analyse the use of antipsychotic medications, change over time and associated factors in a three-year follow-up among elderly residents in long-term institutional care.

Design: Retrospective study was designed with three identical cross-sectional samples originating from the same long-term care facilities, and collected 1 July to 31 December in 2001, 2002 and 2003, in Finland. These were extracted from the Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) database, based on Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessments.