Search results for ‘Subject term:"alzheimers disease"’ Sort:
Results 1 - 10 of 38
Caregiver burden in family carers of people with dementia with Lewy bodies and Alzheimer's disease
- Authors:
- SVENDSBOE Ellen, et al
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 31(9), 2016, pp.1075-1083.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Objective: To characterise the differences in caregiver distress between carers of people diagnosed with dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and people with Alzheimer's disease (AD), with a view to differentiating and improving support for caregivers. Methods: This study is a part of two larger Norwegian studies, DemVest (n = 265) and The Norwegian Dementia Register (n = 2220), with data from caregivers and people diagnosed with AD (n = 100) and DLB (n = 86) between 2005 and 2013. The average age was 74.9 years (SD = 7.8). Caregiver distress was rated by the Relative Stress Scale. Diagnosis of the person receiving care was based on a comprehensive standardised assessment program (International Classification of Diseases, Revision 10 or Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, fourth edition). Additional data collected from people receiving care were neuropsychiatric symptoms, comorbidity and activities of daily living (ADL) score. Linear regression analyses were applied, first unadjusted and then in stepwise-adjusts in addition to descriptive analyses. Results: Caregivers to people with AD (20.2%) and 40% of caregivers for people with DLB experienced moderate or high caregiver burden with an increased risk of psychiatric disorders in the early stage of dementia. High Relative Stress Scale (RSS) total scores in caregivers was significantly associated with neuropsychiatric symptoms and also with impaired ADL functioning. Conclusion: Caregiver distress differed between people caring for someone with AD (15.0) and those caring for someone with DLB (19.9). These findings have direct implications for the needs and resources that could be available for these individuals and indicate the need for further research into caregiver burden in carers to people with DLB. (Edited publisher abstract)
New approaches to understanding dementia
- Author:
- GINESI Laura
- Journal article citation:
- Nursing Times, 112(25), 2016, pp.16-19.
- Publisher:
- Nursing Times
Improving understanding of brain disorders is likely to be one of the core aims of physiological research in the 21st century. This article, the second in a four-part series, looks at the main types of dementia and explores emerging theories about how the condition develops. These theories are improving understanding of the neuro-degeneration that characterises the most common forms of dementia, and will help improve care for those living with dementia. (Publisher abstract)
A methodological critique of the National Institute of Aging and Alzheimer’s Association Guidelines for Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and mild cognitive impairments
- Authors:
- GARRETT Mario D., VALLE Ramon
- Journal article citation:
- Dementia: the International Journal of Social Research and Practice, 15(2), 2016, pp.239-254.
- Publisher:
- Sage
In 2011, the U.S. National Institute on Aging published guidelines for clinical diagnostics for Alzheimer’s disease dementia. These guidelines define a continuum with three stages—an early, pre-clinical stage with no symptoms, followed by mild cognitive impairment, and a final stage of Alzheimer’s disease dementia. This methodological critique examines the validity of this continuum. No studies exist showing the progression of these biomarkers to Alzheimer’s disease. There is also a lack of empirical evidence showing how biomarkers determine mild cognitive impairment, which has multiple etiologies. The guidelines fail to explain anomalies where there are biomarkers but no expression of Alzheimer’s disease. (Publisher abstract)
The relationship between apathy and participation in therapeutic activities in nursing home residents with dementia: evidence for an association and directions for further research
- Authors:
- ELLIS Julie M., DOYLE Colleen J., SELVARAJAH Suganya
- Journal article citation:
- Dementia: the International Journal of Social Research and Practice, 15(4), 2016, p.494–509.
- Publisher:
- Sage
Apathy is one of the most frequent and early symptoms of dementia. Because apathy is characterised by lack of initiative and motivation, it leads to considerable burden being placed on carers to ensure that the person living with dementia has a reasonable quality of life. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between apathy and participation in therapeutic activities for older people with dementia living in nursing homes. Ninety residents were recruited into the study, and apathy was measured by nursing home staff using the Apathy Evaluation Scale Clinician version. Staff also compiled data on each resident’s involvement in therapeutic activities. Among this sample, the mean age was 84.8 years, and mean length of stay in the nursing home was 1.8 years. The mean apathy score was 50.4, indicating that on average the residents had a moderate level of apathy. Overall, residents participated in six activities per week and those residents who were involved in the most activities had the lowest levels of apathy. This paper provides evidence that residents involved in therapeutic activities have lower levels of apathy. Further research should be conducted on the direction of causality, whether apathy levels can be changed through participation in therapeutic activities, the relationship between dementia severity and modifiability of apathy, and the intensity of therapeutic activities required to maintain functioning. (Publisher abstract)
The experience of self and threats to sense of self among relatives caring for people with Alzheimer’s disease
- Authors:
- SKAALVIK Mari Wolff, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Dementia: the International Journal of Social Research and Practice, 15(4), 2016, p.467–480.
- Publisher:
- Sage
This study explored how the relatives of people with Alzheimer’s disease expressed Self 2 and Self 3 according to Harré’s social constructionist theory of selfhood. Having a relative with Alzheimer’s disease affects one’s life. In this study, the authors concentrated on how close relatives of people with Alzheimer’s disease experienced their sense of self. This study was descriptive and qualitative. Interviews were conducted with 20 relatives of 10 people with Alzheimer’s disease from 2009 to 2011. The data were analysed according to Harré’s social constructionist theory of selfhood including Selves 2 and 3. Participants reported that Alzheimer’s disease challenged their personal attributes, relations and positioning. Understanding how Alzheimer’s disease affects the sense of self among close relatives is important, as this knowledge is pivotal for supporting these relatives who are often informal caregivers in ways that enable a fulfilling and meaningful life. (Publisher abstract)
Making sense of dementia: exploring the use of the Markers of Assimilation of Problematic Experiences in Dementia scale to understand how couples process a diagnosis of dementia
- Authors:
- SNOW Katie, CHESTON Richard, SMART Cordet
- Journal article citation:
- Dementia: the International Journal of Social Research and Practice, 15(6), 2016, pp.1515-1533.
- Publisher:
- Sage
This qualitative study aimed to see whether the Markers of Assimilation of Problematic Experiences in Dementia (MAPED) scale could be applied to couples. It aimed to explore the interactions between couples and how this affected the levels of assimilation. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with four heterosexual couples. The results suggested that MAPED can be usefully applied to couples. It highlighted the oscillating process which couples undergo as they process a dementia diagnosis. This supports the notion that making sense of a dementia diagnosis is not static, but a fluctuating and ever changing process. The strategies couples employed either facilitated or prevented the expression and integration of the Problematic Voice. The study highlights the importance of supporting couples together during a dementia diagnosis. (Publisher abstract)
Design of residential environments for people with dementia and sight loss: a structured literature review
- Authors:
- BOWES Alison, et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Visual Impairment, 34(3), 2016, pp.225-237.
- Publisher:
- Sage
A structured literature review concerning the design of living environments for people with dementia and sight loss was conducted. Following systematic searching, 33 items were included and quality was assessed. Findings are described covering colour and contrast, lighting, fixtures and fittings, entrances and exits, gardens, and outdoors. The discussion highlights the poor quality of evidence, combined nevertheless with useful suggestions for design; the tendency for the literature to be fragmented; and the need for improvements in terms of study focus, study quality, and an emphasis on independence and individual needs. The review was subsequently used to inform the development of design guidelines. (Publisher abstract)
Qualitative assessment of self-identity in people with advanced dementia
- Authors:
- BATRA Sadhvi, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Dementia: the International Journal of Social Research and Practice, 15(5), 2016, pp.1260-1278.
- Publisher:
- Sage
This study aimed to understand the preserved elements of self-identity in persons with moderate to severe dementia attributable to Alzheimer's disease. A semi-structured interview was developed to explore the narrative self among residents with dementia in a residential care facility, and residents without dementia in an independent living setting. The interviews were transcribed verbatim from audio recordings and analysed for common themes, while being sensitive to possible differences between the groups. The participants with dementia showed evidence of self-reference even though losses in explicit memory were evident. The most noticeable difference between the two groups was time frame reference. Nonetheless, all participants showed understanding of their role in relationships and exhibited concrete preferences. The authors' findings suggest that memory loss and other cognitive deficits associated with moderate to severe dementia do not necessarily lead to a loss of “self.” (Edited publisher abstract)
PARO the seal shows promise
- Author:
- MEE Erin
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Dementia Care, 24(5), 2016, p.15.
- Publisher:
- Hawker
There is a growing interest in the use of artificial intelligence and assistive technologies in dementia care. This article looks at how the PARO robot seal is being used with older adults with advanced care and support needs in Age UK's Lewisham and Southwark's Stones End Day Centre. (Edited publisher abstract)
Depressive symptoms increase the risk of progression to dementia in subjects with mild cognitive impairment: systematic review and meta-analysis
- Authors:
- MOURAO Raimundo J., et al
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 31(8), 2016, pp.905-911.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Objective: There is a long-standing debate in the literature whether depressive symptoms increase the risk of dementia in older with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The authors conducted a meta-analysis of studies that evaluated the risk of dementia in subjects with MCI and depressive symptoms compared with subjects with MCI and no depressive symptoms. Methods: The relative risk of progression to dementia in subjects with MCI and depressive symptoms were calculated and compared with subjects with MCI and no depressive symptoms using a generic inverse variance method with random effect models. Results: Eighteen studies were included in the meta-analysis, with a sample size of 10,861 MCI subjects. The pooled relative risk of progressing to dementia was 1.28 CI95% in the group of MCI subjects with depressive symptoms compared with the MCI subjects with no depressive symptoms. Discussion: The results provide additional evidence that depressive symptoms determine an additive risk effect to the progression to dementia in subjects with MCI. The comorbidity between depression and cognitive impairment can be an intervention target for prevention of dementia in MCI subjects. (Edited publisher abstract)