Abstract
This study examined aggressive behavior in 400 community-dwelling veterans, 60 years or older and newly diagnosed with dementia, who were nonaggressive at the beginning of the study. Aggression was assessed using the Ryden Aggression Scale and the Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory. Participants and caregivers were assessed monthly for 24 months (home visits at baseline and months 5, 9, 13, 17, 21, and 25 and by telephone during other months). Data about aggression were analyzed to determine frequency and disruptiveness of types of aggression and specific aggressive acts. Verbal aggression was the most common type and was associated with the highest levels of disruptiveness.