Adjustment to residential placement in Alzheimer disease patients: Does premorbid personality matter?

Aim. To evaluate the influence of premorbid personality on adaptation to placement in a long-term care facility. Subjects. Twenty-eight persons with probable Alzheimer disease (AD) residing in an academically affiliated nursing home for 6-9 months. Methods. Premorbid personality was described retrospectively by two informants for each resident using the revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PI-R). Standardized tests and rating scales were used on admission to the facility to assess cognition, mood state, physical dependency and general health. Nurses rated each AD resident's social behaviour, participation in activities and quality of sleep. Results. Poorer adjustment was associated with more severe dementia but better physical health. None of the NEO-PI-R domain scores predicted adjustment. Conclusions. Contrary to popular belief, premorbid personality is relatively inconsequential for an AD patient's adaptation to a long-term care facility.