Introduction: People living with dementia in nursing homes have complex needs; impairments in cognition, communication, and daily function; neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS); and poor quality of life (QoL). The current study examines impairments in non-verbal communication as a potential driver of NPS and QoL.
Methods: One hundred nursing home residents with dementia were assessed using the Emory Dyssemia Index (EDI), Neuropsychiatric Inventory Nursing Home version (NPI-NH), Quality of Life in Alzheimer's Disease (QoL-AD) at baseline, 12-, and 24-week follow-up.
Results: The quantile regression (0.5) model indicated that impairment of non-verbal communication was independently associated with the severity of NPS (P = .001) and proxy reported QoL (P < .05), levels of agitation (P < .05), and professional caregiver burden (P < .05).
Discussion: These results highlight a novel potential approach to improve NPS and QoL using retained elements of non-verbal communication, particularly for people with severe dementia.
Keywords: care needs; dementia; neuropsychiatric symptoms; nursing homes; quality of life.
© 2021 The Authors. Alzheimer's & Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of Alzheimer's Association.