# MENTAL DISORDERS AMONG DELAWARE NURSING HOME PATIENTS

> **NIH NIH R01** · HEBREW REHABILITATION CENTER FOR AGED · 1989 · $130,953

## Abstract

A combination of the demographic explosion of increasing numbers
of elderly in our population and the deinstitutionalization legacy
has contributed to a situation of insufficient attention to the
mental health needs of nursing home residents.  To address this
problem, the proposed research seeks to:  (1) determine the
prevalence of nursing home patients in Delaware who present
symptoms of mental disorders impaired mental status, behavioral
problems, and other manifestations that serve as markers of need
for mental health services, and (2) identify configurations of
characteristics and functional limitations that define distinct
subgroups of residents with symptoms of mental disorder, their
needs for services, and the treatments they receive.  Patient data
will be collected for a random sample of 1,200 residents in nursing
homes across Delaware through interview/observation procedures as
well as case record reviews.  Findings from this survey will be
used to establish point-prevalence estimates of mental disorders
in the nursing home population.  For those identified as having
symptoms of mental disorder, AUTOGRP "clustering" procedures will
be employed to specify discrete subgroups.  A distinguishing
feature of AUTOGRP is its ability to allow the user to incorporate
clinical insight during interactive computer processing.  Findings
will be reviewed by an Advisory Committee consisting of
representatives from Delaware Aging, Mental Health and Public
Health agencies and the nursing home industry, as well as an
ombudsman, together with the involvement and technical assistance
of the research team.  Recommendations for planning, policy, and
program action are expected consequences of this collaborative
effort.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3120238
- **Project number:** 1R01AG008544-01
- **Recipient organization:** HEBREW REHABILITATION CENTER FOR AGED
- **SAM.gov UEI:** WS29EMGEVEJ4
- **Principal Investigator:** SYLVIA SHERWOOD
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1989
- **Award amount:** $130,953
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 1989-03-01 → 1991-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3120238

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3120238, MENTAL DISORDERS AMONG DELAWARE NURSING HOME PATIENTS (1R01AG008544-01). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3120238. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*