使用多種失智症個案評估與觀察行為症狀之關聯性研究

Association Between use of Multiple Dementia-case Assessments and Observation of Behavioral Symptoms

目的
旨在探討使用多種失智症個案評估與觀察行為症狀之關聯性研究。
方法
採回溯性、相關性研究，利用衛生福利部「居家護理機構設立補助計畫」，由台灣北、中、南、東共14家居家護理所去連結失智症資料庫個案，期間為2020年2月至9月，共計183位有效問卷。統計方法以SPSS 26.0進行降維及典型相關分析。
結果
失智者平均年齡81.98歲，以女性、不識字居多。個案評估五大項目大致符合失智者的條件。個案評估中三個項目「認知狀況」、「營養狀況」、「日常生活獨立能力」程度愈低的失智者，其「記憶核心」、「情緒行為」、「精神錯亂」愈高。這些症狀使失智者生活與工作能力持續下降，對日常生活事物的處理上變得更為困難，甚至幾乎完全依賴他人照顧。
結論
失智症個案某些症狀不明顯，不代表這些症狀都不會發生，藉此期能讓其主要照顧者理解失智症個案會發生這些情境症狀，適時給予支持及分擔。

Purposes
To investigate the association between the use of multiple dementia-case assessments and observation of behavioral symptoms.
Methods
A retrospective correlational study was conducted for a subsidy program related to home-care institutions supported by the Ministry of Health and Welfare. Data were obtained from 14 home-care centers across northern, central, southern, and eastern Taiwan. Deidentified data from the dementia database were analyzed for the period from February to September 2020, which resulted in 183 valid questionnaires. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 26.0.
Results
The average age of dementia patients was 81.98 years, with the majority being female and illiterate. The five major case-assessment items generally aligned with the standard criteria for dementia. In the case assessments, dementia patients with lower levels of cognitive function, nutritional status, and independence in daily living demonstrated higher levels of memory-core impairment, emotional disturbances, and mental-confusion symptoms. These symptoms contribute to the progressive decline in the patients’ability to perform daily activities and may result in complete dependence on caregivers.
Conclusions
The absence of overt symptoms in some dementia cases does not indicate that the abovementioned symptoms will not emerge. Primary caregivers should be aware of the occurrence of these situational symptoms in dementia cases and be prepared to provide timely support and assume shared care responsibilities.