HALIFAX - A report released today shows that nearly half of residents in several Nova Scotia nursing homes displayed a range of behavioural symptoms, including physical and sexual abuse.
The study by the Canadian Institute for Health Information finds that two out of five nursing home residents exhibited at least one behaviour considered to be aggressive.
Resisting help was the most common behaviour, while physical abuse such as scratching, hitting or sexually abusing others, was the least common, at 10 per cent.
The authors say that delirium, insomnia and depression were some of the contributing factors to the behaviours.
Nancy White of the institute says the information should be used to identify health concerns and treat them properly.
The survey included 700 residents at five facilities in the province between 2003 and 2007.
