Agitation and Falls in Institutionalized Elderly Persons

The occurrence of falls and the manifestations of three dimensions of agitation (aggressive behaviors, physically nonaggressive behaviors, verbal behaviors) were recorded in 408 nursing home residents during each of the three nursing shifts. Falls occurred most frequently during the busiest shift (the day shift) and least frequently during the night shift when most residents were sleeping and nursing staff were not as busy, a result that confirms previous reports. In comparison to residents who did not fall, residents who fell manifested significantly more physically nonaggressive behaviors, more aggressive behaviors, more verbally agitated behaviors, and overall, a greater total number of agitated behaviors.