...to search the electronic databases. SELECTION CRITERIA:
Study types included: randomised controlled trials (RCTs), quasi-experimental studies, controlled before and after studies (CBAs) and interrupted time series analyses (ITS). Participants included adults over the age of 18, living in their home in a community setting. Participants with a physical disability, dementia or a learning disability were
(Edited publisher abstract)
BACKGROUND: The integration of smart home technology to support health and social care is acquiring an increasing global significance. Provision is framed within the context of a rapidly changing population profile, which is impacting on the number of people requiring health and social care, workforce availability and the funding of healthcare systems. OBJECTIVES: To explore the effectiveness of smart home technologies as an intervention for people with physical disability, cognitive impairment or learning disability, who are living at home, and to consider the impact on the individual's health status and on the financial resources of health care. SEARCH STRATEGY: The following databases were searched for primary studies: (a) the Cochrane Effective Practice and Organisation of Care (EPOC) Group Register, (b) the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), (The Cochrane Library, issue 1, 2007), and (c) bibliographic databases, including MEDLINE (1966 to March 2007), EMBASE (1980 to March 2007) and CINAHL (1982 to March 2007). The Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effectiveness (DARE) was also searched. A strategy developed by the EPOC Trials Search Co-ordinator was used to search the electronic databases. SELECTION CRITERIA:
Study types included: randomised controlled trials (RCTs), quasi-experimental studies, controlled before and after studies (CBAs) and interrupted time series analyses (ITS). Participants included adults over the age of 18, living in their home in a community setting. Participants with a physical disability, dementia or a learning disability were included. The included interventions were social alarms, electronic assistive devices, telecare social alert platforms, environmental control systems, automated home environments and 'ubiquitous homes'. Outcome measures included any objective measure that records an impact on a participant's quality of life, healthcare professional workload, economic outcomes, costs to healthcare provider or costs to participant. The included measures were service satisfaction, device satisfaction and healthcare professional attitudes or satisfaction. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: One review author completed the search strategy with the support of a life and health sciences librarian. Two review authors independently screened titles and abstracts of results. MAIN RESULTS:
No studies were identified which met the inclusion criteria. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: This review highlights the current lack of empirical evidence to support or refute the use of smart home technologies within health and social care, which is significant for practitioners and healthcare consumers.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
assistive technology, social care, information technology, systematic reviews, evaluation, intervention, cost effectiveness, health care, home adaptations, disabilities, learning disabilities, cognitive impairment, supported living, supported housing;
This book discusses the importance of memories of home in the lives of people with dementia. It proposes home as a topic and theme for relating to people with dementia, and offers practical suggestions for conducting small-group sessions using home experiences as triggers for recollection. The first two chapters discusses reconsidering the person in dementia. The third chapter presents themes...
This book discusses the importance of memories of home in the lives of people with dementia. It proposes home as a topic and theme for relating to people with dementia, and offers practical suggestions for conducting small-group sessions using home experiences as triggers for recollection. The first two chapters discusses reconsidering the person in dementia. The third chapter presents themes in the recollection of homes and related life experiences expressed by family members of residents with dementia in care facilities. Home biographies of residents and the themes that emerge from guided conversations with residents form chapter four. The final chapter provides suggestions for caregivers to develop home stories and conduct guided conversation sessions with people who have dementia.
CARE SERVICES IMPROVEMENT PARTNERSHIP. Housing Learning and Improvement Network
Publisher:
Care Services Improvement Partnership. Housing Learning and Improvement Network
Publication year:
2008
Pagination:
4p.
Place of publication:
London
Housing LIN Policy Briefing 22 - A whole systems approach is needed to achieve the intended outcomes of the dementia strategy. Housing - and third sector generally - provide many upstream services which support well-being. They could contribute significantly to preventing or delaying the use of more costly, and sometimes disabling, downstream services. This potential can only be realised...
Housing LIN Policy Briefing 22 - A whole systems approach is needed to achieve the intended outcomes of the dementia strategy. Housing - and third sector generally - provide many upstream services which support well-being. They could contribute significantly to preventing or delaying the use of more costly, and sometimes disabling, downstream services. This potential can only be realised if the housing sector's contribution is embedded into every aspect of the dementia strategy, alongside that of health and social care professionals rather than being treated as an add on The report gives a brief glimpse of areas where the sector can make a significant contribution given appropriate information, training, guidance and incentives. Some of these aspects are touched on in the recently published National Strategy on Housing for an Ageing Society, Lifetime Homes, Lifetime Neighbourhoods (2008).
Subject terms:
housing, social services, dementia, extra care housing, financing, grants;
...the perspective of the risk of occurrence of psychiatric disorder, which has implications for employment, personal injury and mental health laws. Psychiatric topics and orders covered in detail in the 9 chapters of part I include diagnosis, intervention and treatment, dementias, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, phobias, obsessive compulsive disorder, stress, substance misuse, gambling
This guidebook is designed for a non-specialist audience to understand the main concepts of in part I, the range of psychiatric orders, and in part II, risk assessment in psychiatry. The text is supported by 5 appendices detailing practice direction given by the Experts in Family Proceedings relating to children, the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (Pt 1) and Mental Capacity Act 2005 (Pt 1), accounts of 4 court cases which illustrate key points of law and a selected bibliography. Also provided is a glossary and tables of all court cases and statutes, referenced in the text. In this book, risk assessment is defined as the evaluation of risk of aggression or untoward behaviour during proceedings, involving children, families, lawyers and other professionals. In addition, it is also viewed from the perspective of the risk of occurrence of psychiatric disorder, which has implications for employment, personal injury and mental health laws. Psychiatric topics and orders covered in detail in the 9 chapters of part I include diagnosis, intervention and treatment, dementias, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, phobias, obsessive compulsive disorder, stress, substance misuse, gambling addiction, eating disorders, personality disorders, learning disabilities, autism, Aspergers syndrome, postnatal depression and other psychoses, and hypochondriacal neuroses such as Munchausens syndrome.
Subject terms:
legal professionals, mental health law, mental health problems, psychiatric care, psychiatry, risk assessment, aggression, challenging behaviour, criminal law;
Reminiscence is a vital way to stimulate communication and promote confidence and self-worth in people with dementia. This practical guide is designed to give those who care for people with dementia a clear sense of how reminiscence can be used to greatly improve their quality of life. The book explores how reminiscence can contribute to person-centred dementia care and contains detailed
Reminiscence is a vital way to stimulate communication and promote confidence and self-worth in people with dementia. This practical guide is designed to give those who care for people with dementia a clear sense of how reminiscence can be used to greatly improve their quality of life. The book explores how reminiscence can contribute to person-centred dementia care and contains detailed descriptions of activities that can be used in a group setting, for one-to-one reminiscence at home or in a variety of care settings. Based on ideas developed and tested internationally over a period of ten years, the book offers imaginative approaches to reminiscence and a wealth of resources for use in a wide range of situations. The book includes advice on organising a reminiscence project and provides a useful planning tool for group sessions.
Subject terms:
memory, quality of life, therapies, therapy and treatment, carers, dementia;
The Greater Manchester End of Life Care Initiative aims to deliver education, training and improvement in the quality of care received by older adults with dementia in a care setting when coming to the end of their lives. This evaluation aimed to assess perceptions of staff on the role and appropriateness of the use of the Gold Standards Framework and Liverpool Care Pathway tools...
The Greater Manchester End of Life Care Initiative aims to deliver education, training and improvement in the quality of care received by older adults with dementia in a care setting when coming to the end of their lives. This evaluation aimed to assess perceptions of staff on the role and appropriateness of the use of the Gold Standards Framework and Liverpool Care Pathway tools in the individual care of patients and/or residents with dementia, the experience and role of carers and family members with the care service, and the job satisfaction of the multidisciplinary team in a range of long term care settings in the Greater Manchester area. A case study approach was used, so that tools and interventions could be explored and compared across care settings, together with surveys, interviews, focus groups, and documents and records. The report describes the evaluation study and its results. It notes an emerging picture of overall staff confidence in the planning and implementation of end of life care for people with advanced dementia, and the general agreement of care staff that the Gold Standards Framework and Liverpool Care Pathway tools enable staff to assess, monitor and implement appropriate care to meet the needs of the dying residents. It also sets out conclusions and recommendations.
Subject terms:
long term care, older people, patients, palliative care, care homes, care pathways, dementia, dying, end of life care, evaluation;
Graham Stokes explains that relying on the disease model encourages care staff to avoid analysing the behaviour of the person with dementia. In all chronic diseases, it is sensible to look for the person behind the label. There are no epileptics, demented, disabled or cripples, these terms are lazy distractions hiding individual identity. Many of the stories related here, provide examples...
Graham Stokes explains that relying on the disease model encourages care staff to avoid analysing the behaviour of the person with dementia. In all chronic diseases, it is sensible to look for the person behind the label. There are no epileptics, demented, disabled or cripples, these terms are lazy distractions hiding individual identity. Many of the stories related here, provide examples of care home staff and hospital staff resorting to an unquestionable reliance on an explanation of dementia, rather than considering the life story of the individual when the behaviour put in context, then makes sense. The author states that 'wandering' may be the most misused label employed in dementia care, may lead to care actions that fail to treat people with dementia as fellow citizens. The challenge is to ensure that the term 'wandering' is employed in a reflective and considered fashion. The author provides a thoughtful definition of wandering in contrast to walking which amongst other factors, does not disturb others. The strength throughout all these stories is the reflective approach where anyone involved with a person with dementia is encouraged to ask why people behave the way they do in specific situations.
Subject terms:
user views, wandering, challenging behaviour, dementia;
...with dementia are less able to express their needs and are therefore more likely to have uncorrected visual deficits. Poor vision in people with dementia leads to accelerated loss of independence and to an increased risk of psychotic symptoms such as visual hallucinations. The combined effects of dementia and serious sight loss can severely restrict independence with a consequent increase in reliance upon
Visual impairment is one of the most common conditions in later life: common causes are aged related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma. Despite the high prevalence of sight loss in older adults, there have been few studies to examine its effects on quality of life, its psychological effect, or its effect on people’s ability to carry out activities of daily living. People with dementia are less able to express their needs and are therefore more likely to have uncorrected visual deficits. Poor vision in people with dementia leads to accelerated loss of independence and to an increased risk of psychotic symptoms such as visual hallucinations. The combined effects of dementia and serious sight loss can severely restrict independence with a consequent increase in reliance upon family carers and a higher risk of institutionalisation. It has been estimated that at least 2.5 per cent of people aged over 75 have both dementia and serious visual impairment. By finding out more about the needs and experiences of this group of people, the research team will be able to make recommendations for improving access to appropriate support for both individuals and their carers.
The Nuffield Council on Bioethics is an independent organisation that looks at ethical issues in biology and medicine. It is currently considering ethical dilemmas that are faced by people with dementia and those who care for them. The sort of issues the Council is interested in include: How people with dementia are involved in making decisions about their treatment and care; Whether it is right...
The Nuffield Council on Bioethics is an independent organisation that looks at ethical issues in biology and medicine. It is currently considering ethical dilemmas that are faced by people with dementia and those who care for them. The sort of issues the Council is interested in include: How people with dementia are involved in making decisions about their treatment and care; Whether it is right to include people with dementia in research, if they are no longer able to choose for themselves; How people with more advanced dementia are treated by those caring for them and how much control they have over their own lives; What difficulties family and friends experience when caring for a loved one with dementia.
Subject terms:
research ethics, advance decision, dementia, ethics;