Cognitive Function and its Risk Factors Among Older US Adults Living at Home.

BACKGROUND: The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) has not been administered to a representative national sample, precluding comparison of patient scores to the general population and for risk factor identification. METHODS: A validated survey-based adaptation of the MoCA (MoCA-SA) was administered to a probability sample of home-dwelling US adults aged 62 to 90, using the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (n=3129), yielding estimates of prevalence in the United States. The association between MoCA-SA scores and sociodemographic and health-related risk factors were determined. RESULTS: MoCA-SA scores decreased with age, and there were substantial differences among sex, education, and race/ethnicity groups. Poor physical health, functional status, and depression were also associated with lower cognitive performance; current health behaviors were not. Using the recommended MoCA cut-point score for Mild Cognitive Impairment (MoCA score <26; MoCA-SA score <17), 72% (95% confidence interval, 69% to 74%) of older US adults would be classified as having some degree of cognitive impairment. CONCLUSIONS: Our results provide an important national estimate for interpreting MoCA scores from individual patients, and establish wide variability in cognition among older home-dwelling US adults. Care should be taken in applying previously-established MoCA cut-points to the general population, especially when evaluating individuals from educationally and ethnically diverse groups.

Deconstructing Chronic Low Back Pain in the Older Adult-Step by Step Evidence and Expert-Based Recommendations for Evaluation and Treatment: Part XI: Dementia.

OBJECTIVE : To present the 11th in a series of articles designed to deconstruct chronic low back pain (CLBP) in older adults. The series presents CLBP as a syndrome, a final common pathway for the expression of multiple contributors rather than a disease localized exclusively to the lumbosacral spine. Each article addresses one of 12 important contributions to pain and disability in older adults with CLBP. This article focuses on dementia. METHODS: A modified Delphi technique was used to develop an algorithm for an approach to treatment for older adults living with CLBP and dementia. A panel of content experts on pain and cognition in older adults developed the algorithm through an iterative process. Though developed using resources available within Veterans Health Administration (VHA) facilities, the algorithm is applicable across all health care settings. A case taken from the clinical practice of one of the contributors demonstrates application of the algorithm. RESULTS: We present an evidence-based algorithm and biopsychosocial rationale to guide providers evaluating CLBP in older adults who may have dementia. The algorithm considers both subtle and overt signs of dementia, dementia screening tools to use in practice, referrals to appropriate providers for a complete a workup for dementia, and clinical considerations for persons with dementia who report pain and/or exhibit pain behaviors. A case of an older adult with CLBP and dementia is presented that highlights how an approach that considers the impact of dementia on verbal and nonverbal pain behaviors may lead to more appropriate and successful pain management. CONCLUSIONS: Comprehensive pain evaluation for older adults in general and for those with CLBP in particular requires both a medical and a biopsychosocial approach that includes assessment of cognitive function. A positive screen for dementia may help explain why reported pain severity does not improve with usual or standard-of-care pain management interventions. Pain reporting in a person with dementia does not always necessitate pain treatment. Pain reporting in a person with dementia who also displays signs of pain-associated suffering requires concerted pain management efforts targeted to improving function while avoiding harm in these vulnerable patients.Key Words. Dementia; Chronic Pain; Low Back Pain; Lumbar; Primary Care.

Evaluation of a Brief Survey Instrument for Assessing Subtle Differences in Cognitive Function Among Older Adults.

Most measures of cognitive function used in large-scale surveys of older adults have limited ability to detect subtle differences across cognitive domains, and standard clinical instruments are impractical to administer in general surveys. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) can address this need, but has limitations in a survey context. Therefore, we developed a survey adaptation of the MoCA, called the MoCA-SA, and describe its psychometric properties in a large national survey. Using a pretest sample of older adults (n=120), we reduced MoCA administration time by 26%, developed a model to accurately estimate full MoCA scores from the MoCA-SA, and tested the model in an independent clinical sample (n=93). The validated 18-item MoCA-SA was then administered to community-dwelling adults aged 62 to 91 as part of the National Social life Health and Aging Project Wave 2 sample (n=3196). In National Social life Health and Aging Project Wave 2, the MoCA-SA had good internal reliability (Cronbach α=0.76). Using item-response models, survey-adapted items captured a broad range of cognitive abilities and functioned similarly across sex, education, and ethnic groups. Results demonstrate that the MoCA-SA can be administered reliably in a survey setting while preserving sensitivity to a broad range of cognitive abilities and similar performance across demographic subgroups.

A predictive model to identify hospitalized cancer patients at risk for 30-day mortality based on admission criteria via the electronic medical record.

BACKGROUND: This study sought to develop a predictive model for 30-day mortality in hospitalized cancer patients, by using admission information available through the electronic medical record. METHODS: Observational cohort study of 3062 patients admitted to the oncology service from August 1, 2008, to July 31, 2009. Matched numbers of patients were in the derivation and validation cohorts (1531 patients). Data were obtained on day 1 of admission and included demographic information, vital signs, and laboratory data. Survival data were obtained from the Social Security Death Index. RESULTS: The 30-day mortality rate of the derivation and validation samples were 9.5% and 9.7% respectively. Significant predictive variables in the multivariate analysis included age (P < .0001), assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs; P = .022), admission type (elective/emergency) (P = .059), oxygen use (P < .0001), and vital signs abnormalities including pulse oximetry (P = .0004), temperature (P = .017), and heart rate (P = .0002). A logistic regression model was developed to predict death within 30 days: Score = 18.2897 + 0.6013*(admit type) + 0.4518*(ADL) + 0.0325*(admit age) - 0.1458*(temperature) + 0.019*(heart rate) - 0.0983*(pulse oximetry) - 0.0123 (systolic blood pressure) + 0.8615*(O2 use). The largest sum of sensitivity (63%) and specificity (78%) was at -2.09 (area under the curve = -0.789). A total of 25.32% (100 of 395) of patients with a score above -2.09 died, whereas 4.31% (49 of 1136) of patients below -2.09 died. Sensitivity and positive predictive value in the derivation and validation samples compared favorably. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical factors available via the electronic medical record within 24 hours of hospital admission can be used to identify cancer patients at risk for 30-day mortality. These patients would benefit from discussion of preferences for care at the end of life.

The symptom experience of community-dwelling persons with dementia: self and caregiver report and comparison with standardized symptom assessment measures.

OBJECTIVES: : The symptom experience of community-dwelling persons with dementia adopting an open-ended approach has not been well documented. We sought to identify the most bothersome symptoms experienced using self and caregiver report, and to evaluate whether these symptoms are captured by commonly used symptom-assessment measures including the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS, standard in palliative care), Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI), and End-of-Life Dementia Scale-Symptom Management (ELDS-SM). DESIGN: : The authors use data from the Palliative Excellence in Alzheimer Care Efforts (PEACE) study to characterize the symptom experience. SETTING: : PEACE included outpatient primary care geriatric patients in an urban setting affiliated with the University of Chicago. PARTICIPANTS: : Data were examined from the 150 patient-caregiver dyads. MEASUREMENTS: : The most bothersome symptoms of persons with dementia during the past week were reported separately by self and family caregiver. Symptoms were asked in an open-ended format and qualitative analysis using constant comparative technique was applied for each response. Reports were categorized and frequencies tabulated. RESULTS: : One hundred fifteen persons (35 could not respond to the interview questions) with dementia reported 135 symptoms (median 1, range: 0-3). The most frequently reported symptoms were pain (N = 48; 42%), depression (N = 13; 11%), cognitive deficit (N = 12; 10%), anxiety (N = 7; 6%), and ophthalmologic complaint (N = 5; 4%). One hundred fifty caregivers reported 259 symptoms (median 2, range: 0-5) with cognitive deficit (N = 71; 47%), pain (N = 46; 30%), depression (N = 26; 17%), activity disturbance (N = 23; 15%), and thought and perceptual disturbances (N = 12; 8%) being reported most frequently. The ESAS, NPI, and ELDS-SM missed two or more of the most commonly reported symptoms by dyads of persons with dementia and their family caregivers. CONCLUSION: : Symptoms were frequently reported by persons with dementia and their caregiver; however, commonly used symptom assessment measures overlooked important symptoms. All physicians should be vigilant about screening for both psychologic and physical symptoms in this population.

The relationship of pain and cognitive impairment with social vulnerability--an analysis of the Canadian Study of Health and Aging.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to delineate the relationship between noncancer pain and cognitive impairment with social vulnerability. DESIGN: The study was designed as a cross-sectional analysis of the Canadian Study of Health and Aging, 1996 wave. SETTING: Community-dwelling older adults in Canada. SUBJECTS: 3,776 study participants. OUTCOME MEASURES: Pain was categorized as no or very mild pain vs moderate or severe pain. Cognitive impairment was dichotomized from the Modified Mini-Mental State Examination (0-100) to no (>77) or impairment (77 or <). Social vulnerability (outcome) was operationalized as the accumulation of 39 possible self-report variables related to social circumstance, scores range from 0 to 1, where higher scores indicate greater vulnerability. Additional covariates included demographics, depressed mood, comorbidity, and functional impairment. Bivariate and multivariate relationships between pain and cognitive impairment with social vulnerability were assessed using t-tests and linear regression, respectively. RESULTS: Of 5,703 respondents, 1,927 were missing a component of the social vulnerability index and of these nine were missing a pain response, leaving 3,767 (66.1%) of the original sample. A total of 2,435 (64.6%) reported no/mild pain and 3,435 (91.2%) were cognitively intact. The mean (standard deviation) social vulnerability index was 9.97 (3.62) with scores ranging from 1.12 to 26.85. Moderate or severe pain 0.44 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.21, 0.66, P < 0.01) and cognitive impairment 0.49 (95% CI 0.13, 0.86, P < 0.01) were independently associated with social vulnerability, but the interaction term was not statistically significant, 0.40 (95% CI -0.32,1.14, P = 0.27). CONCLUSION: Pain and cognitive impairment are independently associated with social vulnerability. Improvements in pain management might mitigate social vulnerability in a growing number of older adults with either or both conditions.

Complexities of care: Common components of models of care in geriatrics.

As people age, they are more likely to have an increasing number of medical diagnoses and medications, as well as healthcare providers who care for those conditions. Health professionals caring for older adults understand that medical issues are not the sole factors in the phenomenon of this "care complexity." Socioeconomic, cognitive, functional, and organizational factors play a significant role. Care complexity also affects family caregivers, providers, and healthcare systems and therefore society at large. The American Geriatrics Society (AGS) created a work group to review care to identify the most common components of existing healthcare models that address care complexity in older adults. This article, a product of that work group, defines care complexity in older adults, reviews healthcare models and those most common components within them and identifies potential gaps that require attention to reduce the burden of care complexity in older adults.

Findings of Sequential Pilot Trials of Aliviado Dementia Care to Inform an Embedded Pragmatic Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Many investigators of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (AD/ADRD) are unfamiliar with the embedded pragmatic clinical trials (ePCTs) and the indispensable pilot phase preceding ePCTs. This paper provides a much-needed example for such a pilot phase and discusses implementation barriers and additional infrastructure and implementation strategies developed in preparation for a nationwide AD/ADRD ePCT. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Two pilot trials were conducted in 2 hospices sequentially to refine and test Aliviado Dementia Care-Hospice Edition, a complex quality improvement intervention for advanced dementia symptom management. Readiness for the subsequent full-scale ePCT was assessed by three milestones: ≥80% training completion rate ("feasibility"), ≥80% posttraining survey respondents indicating intention for practice changes ("applicability"), and at least 1 Aliviado care plan/assessment instrument administered in ≥75% of dementia patients admitted to home hospice within 1-month posttraining ("fidelity"). RESULTS: Participants included 72 interdisciplinary team members and 11 patients with AD/ADRD across the pilots. Feasibility, applicability, and fidelity outcomes (92%, 93%, and 100%, respectively) all surpassed the preestablished milestones (80%, 80%, and 75%). Main implementation challenges were related to hospice staff turnover, integration of the Aliviado toolbox materials within the electronic health records, and hospices' limited research experience and infrastructure. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS: This pilot phase demonstrated feasibility, applicability, and fidelity required to proceed to the full-scale ePCT. Our study findings and discussions of additional infrastructure and implementation strategies developed following the pilot phase can inform researchers and clinicians interested in conducting AD/ADRD-related pilot studies for ePTCs or quality improvement initiatives. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03681119.

Recommendations for Preventing Medication Diversion and Misuse in Hospice Care: A Modified Delphi Study.

CONTEXT: Recommendations are needed to help minimize the risks of medication diversion and misuse in the hospice setting. OBJECTIVE: To identify recommendations that could help prevent medication diversion and misuse in hospice care. METHODS: A modified Delphi method was utilized. An interdisciplinary panel of ten experts engaged in three phases of online and in-person voting regarding recommendations. Consensus for recommendations required a minimum of 80% endorsement by the panel experts. After two rounds of voting and several rounds of informal voting, 15 total recommendations were endorsed. RESULTS: Fifteen recommendations achieved at least 80% endorsement during the final round of voting. Each of the following recommendation topics received ≥ 80% endorsement, the need to balance prevention efforts with quality care, screening clinical job candidates, family education and screening, medication monitoring, responding to missing/diverted medications, and medication disposal. Panelists rated the Patient & Family Education recommendation as most important (M = 9.7; SD = 0.7) followed closely by Responding to Medication Diversion or Misuse (M = 9.5; SD = 1.1). CONCLUSION: These recommendations were created by experts in the field to reduce the risk of medication diversion and misuse. Further steps towards implementation may appropriately reduce these risks.

The multidimensional experience of noncancer pain: does cognitive status matter?

OBJECTIVE: Determine if the multidimensional pain-related experience differs between cognitively intact and impaired older adults. DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis of the Canadian Study of Health and Aging. SETTING: Community-dwelling older adults. OUTCOME MEASURES: Pain reports were dichotomized from a 5-point scale into no/very mild vs moderate and greater. Cognition measured by the Modified Mini Mental State Exam (0-100) was dichotomized into cognitively intact (>77) and cognitively impaired (≤77). Five self-rated Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) were dichotomized into no impairment vs any impairment. The Mental Health Inventory consists of five self-rated questions about psychological state and well-being, with scores ranging from 0 to 30; scores >11 indicate depression. Self-rated health was dichotomized into very good/pretty good and not too good/poor/very poor. Additional covariates included demographics and co-morbidities. RESULTS: Of the 5,549 (97.3%) eligible participants, 1,991 (35.9%) reported pain of moderate intensity or greater, and 1,028 (18.5%) were cognitively impaired. Among cognitively impaired participants, moderate or greater pain report was associated with functional impairment odds ratio (OR) = 1.74 (1.15, 2.62; P < 0.01), depressed mood OR = 1.69 (1.18, 2.44; P < 0.01), and lower self-rated health OR = 2.35 (1.69, 3.30; P < 0.01). Among cognitively intact participants, pain report was similarly associated with functional impairment OR = 1.40 (1.20,1.63); P < 0.01), depressed mood OR = 1.88 (1.59,2.23; P < 0.01), and lower self-rated health OR = 2.34 (1.94,2.82; P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Pain self-report in both cognitively intact and impaired community-dwelling persons is associated with a similar multidimensional experience. These findings confirm the need for comprehensive evaluation of pain and related outcomes in all older adults, with appropriate pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic management.

Management of Gastrointestinal Symptoms (Nausea, Anorexia and Cachexia, Constipation) in Advanced Illness.

Anorexia and cachexia, nausea and vomiting, and constipation are gastrointestinal symptoms that commonly accompany serious illness. Basic science and clinical research continue to improve the understanding of their pathophysiology. Thorough assessment necessitates history, physical examination, and laboratory and diagnostic testing. Pharmacologic management attempts to counteract or reverse the underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms that accompany each symptom, which may benefit from a multimodal approach to achieve adequate control. Future improvements in management require investments in clinical research to determine the efficacy of novel agents along with comparator studies to better understand which treatments should be used in what sequence or combination.

Feeding tube placement in patients with advanced dementia: the beliefs and practice patterns of speech-language pathologists.

PURPOSE: To describe the beliefs and practices of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) about the use of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) among patients with advanced dementia and dysphagia. METHOD: A survey was mailed to a geographically stratified random sample of 1,050 medical SLPs. RESULTS: The response rate was 57%, and 326 surveys met inclusion criteria. Fifty-six percent of SLPs recommended PEG for a patient with advanced dementia and dysphagia. Contrary to the evidence, many respondents believed that PEG improves nutritional status and increases survival. Relatively few SLPs believed that PEG improved patients' functional status or quality of life. Patient factors (e.g., age or prognosis) were more often identified as influences on recommendations for PEG than were extrinsic factors (e.g., cost). Nearly 40% believed that PEG was the standard of care, while 15% believed it should be. Very few SLPs (11%) would want a PEG themselves. Perceived standard of care was significantly related to both geographic region and population density (p < .05), but self-reported practices were not. CONCLUSIONS: Discrepancies between SLPs' beliefs, the literature, and self-reported practices were observed. The findings suggest the need to connect the evidence base to clinical practice and to include SLPs in local and national discussions about end-of-life care protocols.

Patients dying with dementia: experience at the end of life and impact of hospice care.

To evaluate the impact hospice enrollment has on the terminal care of patients with dementia and describe the symptom burden these patients experience, caregivers of dementia decedents were assessed in a mortality follow-back survey. Patients had been managed through academic outpatient geriatric clinics in Chicago, IL. A total of 135 family members or other knowledgeable informants of persons who had died with dementia were queried about the patient's preferred location of death, location of death, satisfaction with patient care, and assessment of patient's pain and most bothersome symptom. Patients who were enrolled in hospice were significantly more likely to die in their location of choice (odds ratio [OR] 9.67; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.57-37.0), and less likely to die in the hospital, (OR 0.04; 95% CI 0.01-0.18), compared to nonenrollees. Caregivers of hospice enrollees were more likely to rate patient care as excellent or very good (OR 5.65; 95% CI 2.61-10.34), compared to nonenrollees. Over 50% of caregivers of hospice enrollees and nonenrollees reported patient pain at a moderate intensity or higher on average in the last two weeks of life. No effect was observed between a caregiver reporting pain at a moderate level or higher and whether the patient was enrolled in hospice (OR 0.58; 95% CI 0.22-1.54). Hospice enrollees did not experience improvement in their most bothersome symptom's frequency, severity, or amount of distress caused (P=0.21, 0.39, 0.95, respectively), compared to nonenrollees. These results suggest that dying patients with dementia who are enrolled in hospice programs are more likely to die in their locations of choice and their caregivers are more likely to perceive that care is excellent or good than those who do not obtain hospice services. No effect on pain or other symptoms could be demonstrated in this analysis.

Management of intractable nausea and vomiting in patients at the end of life: "I was feeling nauseous all of the time . . . nothing was working".

Nausea and vomiting, symptoms that occur commonly near the end of life, represent a substantial source of physical and psychological distress for patients and families. In the context of the case of Mr Q, a 50-year-old man with metastatic esophageal cancer admitted to the hospital with intractable nausea and vomiting, we review the evaluation and treatment of this symptom complex. A thorough history and physical examination are essential first steps in the management of these patients because they define the severity of the symptoms and clues to their underlying etiology. Once the most likely cause is determined, the clinician discerns the mechanism, specific transmitters, and receptors by which this etiology is triggering nausea and vomiting. Subsequent pharmacological management focuses on prescribing the appropriate antagonist to the implicated receptors. If symptoms are refractory despite adequate dosage and around-the-clock prophylactic administration, an empirical trial combining several therapies to block multiple emetic pathways should be attempted. Less traditional agents are also discussed, although evidence for their use is limited. Often, oral administration of medication is not feasible and alternate routes such as rectal suppositories, subcutaneous infusions, and orally dissolvable tablets should be considered. Using this step-wise approach, nausea and vomiting can be successfully managed in most patients at the end of life.

Management of noncancer pain in community-dwelling persons with dementia.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the pharmacological treatment of noncancer pain in persons with dementia and identify predictors associated with insufficient analgesia. DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis of an observational cohort study. SETTING: Academic outpatient geriatric clinic in Chicago, Illinois. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 115 dyads, mostly African American, consisting of community-dwelling persons with dementia and their caregivers. MEASUREMENTS: Patient report of demographics, noncancer pain, function, cognition, and depression. Caregiver report of patient agitation and over-the-counter and prescription medications. RESULTS: Sixty-two of 115 (54%) patients reported pain "on an average day." The caregivers of more than half of persons with dementia who reported pain "on an average day" did not report analgesic use. The majority of caregivers who reported analgesic use reported that patients took a World Health Organization Class I medication. No patients had been prescribed a Class III (strong opioid) drug. Fifty-three of 115 (46%) patients had potentially insufficient analgesia. In the logistic regression, insufficient analgesia was associated with greater age, Mini-Mental State Examination score of less than 10, and impairment in daily functioning. Insufficient analgesia was 1.07 times as likely (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.01-1.14) for each additional year of age, 3.0 times as likely (95% CI = 1.05-9.10) if the subject had advanced dementia, and 2.5 times as likely (95% CI = 1.01-6.25) if the patient had any impairment in activities of daily living. CONCLUSION: In this convenience sample from a geriatric clinic, many persons with dementia and noncancer pain were not receiving pharmacological treatment. Those at greatest risk for insufficient analgesia were older, had moderate to severe dementia, and experienced impairments in activities of daily living.

Concomitant Opioid and Laxative Use in Older Adults in Hospice Care in the United States: 2007.

OBJECTIVES: To examine laxative use by individuals in hospice who were taking opioids during the last week of life. DESIGN: Retrospective cross-sectional. SETTING: 2007 National Home and Hospice Care Survey. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals in hospice aged 65 and older who were taking opioids during the last week of life (N = 2,825). MEASUREMENTS: Hospice staff were asked the names of all medications and drugs that participants were taking 7 days before and on the day of death while in hospice, including any standing, routine, or as-needed medications." Medications "used" included medications taken and as-needed medications provided in case a symptom developed. Opioids included all opioid-combination drugs. Laxatives included fibers, lubricants, stimulants, and suppositories. RESULTS: Forty-one percent of participants had cancer as the primary hospice diagnosis, 13% heart disease, 12% debility, 11% dementia, 8% lung disease, and 15% other. Overall, 52% of opioid users used a laxative in the last week of life; the proportions of opioid and laxative users did not differ according to diagnosis. Racial minorities taking opioids had lower odds than white participants (odds ratio (OR) = 0.57, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.33-0.99) of using laxatives. Participants taking opioids enrolled in hospice for 7 days or less had lower odds of using laxatives than those enrolled for more than 7 days (OR = 0.65, 95% CI = 0.37-0.95), as did those in hospice inpatient, hospital, or other settings (OR = 0.45, 95% CI = 0.43-0.93) than those in long-term care settings. Participants using five or fewer medications had lower odds of using laxatives than those using six to 10 (OR = 6.01, 95% CI = 3.88-9.32) or 11 to 25 medications (OR = 13.80, 95% CI = 8.74-21.80). CONCLUSION: In 2007, slightly more than half of older adults in hospice who were taking opioids used laxatives during the last week of life. Recent quality indicators from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recommend laxative treatment when opioid therapy is initiated to prevent opioid-induced constipation and are intended to improve laxative use in individuals in hospice treated with opioids.

Factors associated with self- and caregiver report of pain among community-dwelling persons with dementia.

BACKGROUND: Among cognitively intact patients, self- and caregiver report of patient pain has been associated with worse psychological health for both the patient and caregiver. Little existing research examines factors associated with patient self-report of pain and caregiver report of patient pain among community-dwelling persons with dementia. OBJECTIVE: To identify patient and caregiver factors associated with self- and caregiver report of patient pain among community-dwelling persons with dementia. DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis of a longitudinal study using structured interviews with dementia patients and their family caregivers. SETTING AND SUBJECTS: Urban outpatient geriatrics clinics affiliated with a university hospital. Dyads composed of dementia patients and their family caregivers were approached prior to routine clinic visits to participate in the study. MEASUREMENTS: Relevant patient measurements included self-report of pain; cognitive, functional, and comorbidity assessments; a screen for depression; and demographic information. Relevant caregiver measurements included their report of patient pain and agitation, screens for depression and strain, and demographic information. RESULTS: Of 115 dyads, 37 patients (32%) and 57 caregivers (53%) reported the patient to be in pain. No patient or caregiver factors were significantly associated with patient self-report of pain. In the univariate analysis, caregiver reports of patient pain were associated with the patient not being depressed (p = .036), caregiver reports of patient agitation (p = .038), higher level of education in the caregiver (p = .029), and caregiver depression (p = .019). In multivariate logistic regression analyses, caregiver depression and patient agitation remained significantly associated with caregiver report of patient pain. CONCLUSIONS: In community-dwelling persons with dementia, self-report of pain was not associated with any other variables measured, suggesting that pain should be assessed through direct self-report and treated accordingly. Caregiver report of patient pain was associated with both caregiver report of patient agitation and caregiver depression. These findings suggest that clinicians may need to routinely assess patient pain, patient agitation, and caregiver depression. More research is needed to understand the relationship between these conditions.