Examining the frequency of functional-congnitive inefficiency possibly related with dementia in hospitalized elderly individuals

This research is designed as a descriptive study to investigate the frequency of functional and cognitive inefficiency possibly related with dementia in hospitalized elderly individuals of 65 years or over age.The study was carried out in 15 different inpatient clinics of a university hospital between June-July 2010. Study sample is composed of 273 patients who meet inclusion criteria.Sociodemographic characteristics questionnaire form, Geriatric Depression Scale Form (GDS-15), Delirium Rating Scale (DRS), Functional Activities Questionnaire (FAQ), Standardized Mini Mental Test designed for the educated people (D-SMMT) and Standardized Mini Mental Test designed for uneducated people (D-SMMT) were used for the data collection. Data was collected by face-to-face interview technique.The number and percentage distributions of sociodemographic data were calculated. Significance of the differences between the individuals with or without functional and cognitive inefficiency possibly related with dementia were examined considering the factors which could affect the development of dementia by using chi-square test and unpaired t test.91 (33.3%) out of 273 hospitalized individuals of over 65 years of age were diagnosed with functional and cognitive inefficiency possibly related with dementia. The risk of dementia was determined significantly high in older age individuals (p<0.01), females (p<0.05), individuals who with balanced income-expense and income lower than expense (p<0.01), individuals who stated forgetfulness (p<0.05) and individuals with high education level (p<0.01). No significant relation was detected between having a chronic disease (p>0.05), marital status (p>0.05), primary diagnosis and dementia (Table 1).Study results demonstrated that the frequency of functional and cognitive inefficiency possibly related with dementia was rather high in hospitalized individuals of over 65 years of age. Evaluation of cognitive condition which is among the important factors effective on hospitalization period of patient and mortality rate as well as the predetermining problems and finding suitable interventions would provide patients with a better hospital care