Discussion 7

Extract

Although behavioral disturbances occur worldwide in patients with dementia, the magnitude of these symptoms appears to vary in different cultures. Dr. Reisberg commented on the low level of agitation and violence he observed among patients in psychiatric hospitals in India. He attributed this in part to the level of care the patients received, all of whom had family members with them in the hospital. Dr. Chandra agreed that the approach to patients with dementia in India involves a tremendous amount of human contact. Family members go out of their way to accommodate patients, as do the professional caregivers. Dr. Hendrie also remarked on the low level of behavioral disturbances seen among the nursing home patients in some countries in his study. Whether this results from caregivers' high level of tolerance for such behaviors or from an inherent difference in the type of dementia is not yet known.