Measurement of inappropriate behavior associated with dementia.

Inappropriate behaviors in dementia affect caregivers, causing depression, burden, stress, and affecting caregivers' social life, morale, and somatic health. These behaviors also may signal that the elderly individuals with dementia are distressed and because of a combination of inappropriate behaviors and loss of communication skills, these individuals may not receive adequate assessment or treatment. This article discusses the assessment of behavior problems in elderly individuals suffering from dementia. The following issues are addressed: the need for assessment; difficulties in assessment of inappropriate behaviors; approaches to the assessment of behavior problems, including caregiver ratings, observational methods, and technological devices; and issues in the clinical use of assessments.