ABSTRACT
Behavioral symptoms are frequent and problematic components of dementia. The aim of this study was to detect behavioral problem of the 25 item of dementia problem behaviour(DPB)assesment scale for demented older adults. Seventy-three patients with dementia staying in the day care center, group home, dementia hospital, nursing home were recruited data on problematic behavior obtained through interviews with their caregiver during 2 months from March to May 2004. Results shows that problematic behaviors common occurring in 95% of subjects. The most frequently exhibited problematic behaviors were repetitive movement(1.05), repetitive questions(1.03), restlessness(1.0). indifference(0.97). shouting/screaming(0.92). Problematic Behaviors of the demented older adults were closely associated to the distress for caregiver. Most distressful ones for caregivers were repetitive questions(1.46), repetitive movement(1.42), shouting/ screaming (1.42), indifference(1.41). restlessness(1.41). Problematic Behaviors of the demented older adults were divided into six subdivisions, among those restless behavior was positively correlated with aggressive behavior, nervous symptom and psychotic symptom. and then nervous symptom was interrelated to psychotic symptom(p<0.01). This study has limitation that field study data were derived from various primary caregivers.