Search results for ‘Subject term:"older people"’ Sort:
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Can mindfulness-based interventions influence cognitive functioning in older adults? A review and considerations for future research
- Authors:
- BERK Lotte, BOXTEL Martin van, OS Jim van
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 21(11), 2017, pp.1113-1120.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Objectives: An increased need exists to examine factors that protect against age-related cognitive decline. There is preliminary evidence that meditation can improve cognitive function. However, most studies are cross-sectional and examine a wide variety of meditation techniques. This review focuses on the standard eight-week mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) such as mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT). Method: The authors searched the PsychINFO, CINAHL, Web of Science, COCHRANE, and PubMed databases to identify original studies investigating the effects of MBI on cognition in older adults. Results: Six reports were included in the review of which three were randomised controlled trials. Studies reported preliminary positive effects on memory, executive function and processing speed. However, most reports had a high risk of bias and sample sizes were small. The only study with low risk of bias, large sample size and active control group reported no significant findings. Conclusion: The authors conclude that eight-week MBI for older adults are feasible, but results on cognitive improvement are inconclusive due a limited number of studies, small sample sizes, and a high risk of bias. Rather than a narrow focus on cognitive training per se, future research may productively shift to investigate MBI as a tool to alleviate suffering in older adults, and to prevent cognitive problems in later life already in younger target populations. (Edited publisher abstract)
Depressive disorders in caregivers of dementia patients: a systematic review
- Author:
- CUIJPERS P.
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 9(4), July 2005, pp.325-330.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Although depressive symptomatology has been well studied in caregivers of patients with dementia, depressive disorders have been examined much less. We conducted a systematic literature search in major bibliographical databases (Medline, Psychinfo, Dissertation Abstracts), and included studies examining caregivers of dementia patients that reported the prevalence of major depressive disorder, according to diagnostic criteria as assessed with a standardized psychiatric diagnostic interview. Ten studies with a total of 790 caregivers were identified (sample sizes: 22–147). In only one of the studies, a representative community sample was used. A total of 176 subjects (22.3%) had a depressive disorder (prevalence range from 0.15–0.32). In the three studies reporting differential prevalence rates for men and women somewhat smaller prevalence rates were found for men than for women. In six studies caregivers were compared to a (mostly matched) control group. The relative risks of having a depressive disorder in caregivers ranged from 2.80–38.68 (all RR's were significant). In the three prospective studies relatively high incidence rates were found (0.48). This study made it clear that prevalence and incidence of depressive disorders are increased in caregivers of dementia patients. More research is clearly needed in this population.
Psychological outreach programmes for the depressed elderly: a meta-analysis of effects and dropout
- Author:
- CUIJPERS Pim
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 13(1), January 1998, pp.41-48.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Utilisation of psychiatric services in the Netherlands by depressed elderly is low compared to younger adults. Outreach programmes in which treatment is actively offered to depressed elderly in the community can be used to improve access of these elderly to mental health care. Reports on a meta-analysis which was carried out to study the effectiveness of these outreach programmes.
Big Five personality characteristics are associated with depression subtypes and symptom dimensions of depression in older adults
- Authors:
- KOOREVAAR A.M.L., et al
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 32(12), 2017, pp.e132-e140.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Objective: This study examined the associations of personality characteristics with both subtypes and symptom dimensions of depression in older adults. Methods: Three hundred and seventy-eight depressed older adults participated in the Netherlands Study of Depression in Older Persons. Personality characteristics were assessed by the NEO-Five Factor Inventory. Subtypes and symptom dimensions of depression were determined using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview and the Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (IDS). Multinomial logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the associations between personality and atypical, melancholic, and unspecified subtypes of major depression. Linear regression analyses examined the associations between personality and the IDS mood, somatic, and motivation symptom dimensions. The analyses were adjusted for confounders and additionally adjusted for depression severity. Results: Neuroticism, Extraversion, Conscientiousness, and Agreeableness were associated with specified (atypical or melancholic) major depression compared with unspecified major depression in the bivariate analyses but lost their significance after adjustments for functional limitations and severity of depression. Neuroticism was positively associated with the IDS mood and motivation symptom dimensions, also in the adjusted models. Further, Extraversion and Agreeableness were negatively associated with the IDS mood symptom dimension, and Extraversion and Conscientiousness were negatively associated with the IDS motivation symptom dimension. None was associated with the IDS somatic symptom dimension. Conclusions: This study demonstrated the association of personality characteristics with mood and motivational symptoms of late-life depression. The lacking ability of personality to differentiate between melancholic and atypical depression seems to be largely explained by severity of depressive symptoms (Publisher abstract)
A comparative analysis of personalisation: balancing an ethic of care with user empowerment
- Author:
- RUMMERY Kirstein
- Journal article citation:
- Ethics and Social Welfare, 5(2), June 2011, pp.138-152.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Abingdon
Modern developments in care and support delivery for disabled and older people have led to the expansion of personalisation schemes, where money is paid in substitute for care and support. Although the schemes have been evaluated within their own national contexts, little work has been done so far to explore the theoretical implications of their development and extension, particularly from an ethics of care perspective. This paper fills that gap by drawing on comparative evidence from several schemes across different nations to develop an analysis which draws on feminist theory and an ethics of care approach to examine: the gendered policy outcomes and impact of such schemes; a feminist analysis of the governance implications of personalisation; the implications for the gendered division of work, particularly between paid and unpaid care work and between different groups of paid and unpaid carers; an ethics of care analysis of the impact of personalisation over the lifecourse of disabled and older people, and carers; and a discussion of the relationship between commodification, empowerment, citizenship and choice drawing on the work of care ethicists.
Psychological treatment of late-life depression: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
- Authors:
- CUIJPERS Pim, VAN STRATEN Annemieke, SMIT Filip
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 21(12), December 2006, pp.1139-1149.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Older meta-analyses of the effects of psychological treatments for depression in older adults have found that these treatments have large effects. However, these earlier meta-analyses also included non-randomized studies, and did not include newer high-quality randomized controlled trials. The authors conducted a meta-analysis of randomized studies on psychological treatments for depression in older adults. Twenty-five studies were included, of which 17 compared a psychological intervention to a control condition (mainly waiting list and care-as-usual control groups). The quality of the included studies varied. Psychological treatments have moderate to large effects on depression in older adults (standardized mean effect size d = 0.72). Heterogeneity was very low. No differences were found between individual, group or bibliotherapy format, or between cognitive behavioural therapy and other types of psychological treatment. The effects were comparable in studies where depression was defined according to diagnostic criteria, and those in which depression was measured with self rating questionnaires. Although the quality of many studies was not optimal, the results of this meta-analysis support.
The concept of green care farms for older people with dementia
- Authors:
- de BRUIN Simone, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Dementia: the International Journal of Social Research and Practice, 9(1), February 2010, pp.79-128.
- Publisher:
- Sage
Community-dwelling older people with dementia in the Netherlands can attend regular day care services (RDCS). The past ten years have seen a growth in green care farms (GCF) where people with a health demand can spend the day and voluntarily contribute to agricultural production. These have tended to focus on mentally disabled people but are beginning to target other groups including older adults with dementia. This study reviews the literature on green care farms for dementia sufferers and presents an overview of the evidence for dementia related interventions that correspond with the current developments in health care (i.e. environmental, activity-based and psychosocial interventions), and that are relevant for day care. The authors then focus on the differences between day care at GCF and RDCS with regard to these interventions, and describe an integrative framework for the expected health benefits of GCF for older people with dementia. They conclude that at GCF interventions are naturally integrated in the environment and are present simultaneously and continuously, which is more difficult to realise in RDCS. The authors suggest that GCF have more health benefits for older people with dementia than RDCS.
Health effects of the relocation of patients with dementia: a scoping review to inform medical and policy decision-making
- Authors:
- RYMAN Frida V M, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 59(6), 2019, pp.e674-e682.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Background and Objectives: Research into the relocation (including international relocation) of people with dementia is increasingly important due to the ageing population and latest developments in the international politics (including globalisation and concerns over international migration). There is need for an overview of the health effects of relocation to facilitate and inform decision- and policy-making regarding these relocations. The aim of this literature review was to provide insight into the physical, psychological, and social consequences of varied types of relocations of older adults suffering from dementia. Research Design and Methods: A scoping literature review with a systematic search was performed in PubMed, Web of Science, PsychInfo, JSTOR, and ScienceDirect. The articles dealing with subject of relocation of older adults from 1994 to 2017 were included and analysed. Methodological quality assessment was performed for all articles. Results: Final list included 13 articles. The effects of relocation were discussed in terms of mortality and morbidity. In most studies, the health effects of the relocation of older adults suffering from dementia were negative. A decline in physical, mental, behavioural, and functional well-being was reported. The most recurring effect was a higher level of stress, which is more problematic for patients with dementia. In general, unless it is carefully planned, it is best to avoid changing lives of people with dementia and it is recommended to actively work to reduce their exposure to stress. Discussion and Implications: The outcomes of the study suggest definite evidence for the negative effects of relocation of the older adults. This research aims to be used as the support of the legal and medical decisions of relocation of patients with dementia. (Edited publisher abstract)
The effects of emotion-oriented approaches in the care for persons suffering from dementia: a review of the literature
- Authors:
- FINNEMA Evelyn, et al
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 15(2), February 2000, pp.141-161.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This article presents an overview of the results of intervention studies in various emotion oriented approaches in the care for people suffering with dementia. Recommendations are made with regard to clinical practice and future research. The articles were analysed with regard to research group, setting, design, effect variables, intervention, measuring instruments, statistical analyses and results. It is shown that mainly positive results (including increased social interaction and decrease of behaviour problems) are achieved with these emotional orientated problems. Concludes that emotion oriented care approaches offer the opportunity to tailor the care to the individual needs of dementing elderly and can be complemented with other psychosocial approaches when necessary. The challenge for the care sector is to develop guidelines to determine which approach should be applied to whom and when. Scientific research can contribute by examining which emotion-oriented approaches, possibly in combination with each other or with psychosocial therapies, effect an increase in the well being and improve functioning in which patients.