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Aggression in a rural psychogeriatric outreach program

A rural, community‐dwelling group of elders referred to a psychogeriatric outreach program were examined for presence of aggressive behaviors. Aggressive patients were compared to non‐aggressive patients on the following variables: age, sex, presence of hallucinations and delusions, alcohol use, cognition score, score on Hamilton Depression Scale, physical and instrumental activity of daily living (ADL) scores, general health and quality of life. Of one hundred and fifty‐eight patients, 19 (12%) exhibited aggressive behavior. Aggression was significantly associated with presence of hallucinations (p < 0.0001), delusions (p = 0.004), lower physical (p = 0.004), instrumental activity of daily living scores (p < 0.0001) and diagnosis of dementia versus other psychiatric diagnoses. However, lower cognitive score, depressive symptoms, age, gender, alcohol use, quality of life and general health did not differ between aggressive and non‐aggressive patients. Aggression is not uncommon in community‐dwelling elders in a rural psychogeriatric program. Careful evaluation for treatment of psychotic symptoms should be done in aggressive elders.