Elders' acceptability ratings of behavioral treatments and pharmacotherapy for the management of geriatric behavioral disturbances.

The management of geriatric behavioral disturbances presents a challenge for both caregivers and care receivers. Previously, we have investigated caregivers' and health care professionals' perceptions of the acceptability of behavioral treatments and pharmacotherapy. However, the perceptions of the potential or actual recipients of these interventions are equally important. In this study, vignette methodology assessed elderly individuals' acceptance of two behavioral treatments and one pharmacologic intervention using Kazdin's Treatment Evaluation Inventory. Respondents assigned the highest treatment acceptability ratings to behavioral treatments and the lowest to drug therapy. The place of patient residence described in the vignettes (community or nursing home) mediated treatment acceptability ratings.