Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between assessed pain, functional status, and emotional status in elderly women with dementia.
METHODS
The method was a descriptive correlational design. Subjects were sampled from 75 elderly women with dementia who were resident in nursing home. and their pain, functional status(physical function, cognitive function), emotional status(depression, agitation) were measured. The collected data were analyzed for correlations between pain and functional status and for emotional status using the SPSS 11.0 statistical program.
RESULTS
The pain degree of the aged women in dementia were as follows; between 0 and 27 points, average 4.04 points, which was a possible point extent. Looking at the grades in detail items, the wry face expression was shown highest, an average of 0.84 points. The relation with cognitive function was(r=-.259, p<.025) a minus relation. And the relation with physical function was (r=.406, p<.001) a plus one. The relation with depression was (r=.462, p<.001), plus one. And (r=.592, p<.001) a plus relation was found with agitation.
CONCLUSION
Pain is associated with impaired functional and emotional status. Major efforts are needed to improve nursing assessment and management of pain in this cognitive impaired population.

• Keywords: Dementia; Pain; Cognitive function; Depression; Agitation