The effect of institutionalization on nursing home populations.

Two groups of institutionalized aged, the mentally ill and the frail elderly, were studied for differences in observable behaviors. The mentally ill group showed no significant decline in behavior as years spent in an institution increased. This finding reflects improvement in mental health care. The mentally ill nursing home resident does need to be maintained on appropriate psychotropic medications. Limit-setting approaches to caregiving will help maintain expected behaviors. The frail elderly showed a decline in neatness and an increase in negative behaviors with longer institutional stays. Caregiving needs to focus on helping the resident maintain a sense of mastery and control in the nursing home environment.