Search results for ‘Subject term:"older people"’ Sort:
Results 1 - 10 of 13
Combating Alzheimer's disease: immediate concerns and implications for social workers
- Authors:
- SINHA Debotosh Sinah, DEY Namita
- Journal article citation:
- Indian Journal of Social Work, 67(4), October 2006, pp.410-422.
- Publisher:
- Tata Institute of Social Sciences
This article attempts to discuss exactly what Alzheimer's disease is, its causes, the extent of the problem, diagnosis and prognosis, and treatment. The different stages of the disease, role of the caregivers, and the personal and emotional stress they face is also covered. The role of professional social workers are also highlighted.
Use of an Italian version of the telephone interview for cognitive status in Alzheimer's disease
- Authors:
- DAL FORNO, et al
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 21(2), February 2006, pp.126-133.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Enquires into the Validation of an Italian version of the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (I-TICS). Telephone administration of the I-TICS within 6 weeks of face-to-face testing with the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), in Probable Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients and healthy controls. Two hundred and seven consecutive outpatients with cognitive impairment were recruited from Dementia Clinic of University Campus BioMedico. Of these, 45 probable AD patients with complete data were analyzed. Other dementias, Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), and patients with incomplete data were excluded. The control sample consisted of 64 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects. For diagnosis, an extensive clinical evaluation, laboratory testing, brain imaging, EEG, neuropsychological battery and a depression scale were used. For I-TICS validation, telephone I-TICS and face-to-face MMSE were administered. The I-TICS correlated highly and linearly with the MMSE (Pearson's r = 0.904). Conversion equations are provided. Sensitivity and specificity were similar between tests (area under curve = 0.894 for the I-TICS; 0.966 for the MMSE). I-TICS sensitivity was 84% and specificity 86% at a cut-off score of 28. No significant difference in accuracy with the MMSE was present. Total agreement between I-TICS and MMSE was substantial at 86% (Cohen's K = 0.717). Repeated testing in a subset of patients showed a disease progression related decrease of 4.2 points/year (t = 2.664; p = 0.018) in I-TICS scores. The I-TICS is a valid instrument in clinical and research screening and monitoring of AD. Potential applications in other dementias and MCI are worth further studies.
Cognitive training in Alzheimer’s disease: a meta-analysis of the literature
- Authors:
- SITZER D.I., TWAMLEY E.W., JESTE C.V.
- Journal article citation:
- Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 114(2), August 2006, pp.75-90.
- Publisher:
- Blackwell Publishing
Effect sizes (Cohen’s d) were calculated for 19 controlled studies, and an overall effect size of 0.47 was observed for all cognitive training (CT) strategies across all measured outcomes. Mean effect sizes were higher for restorative strategies (designed to return functioning in specific domains to pre-disease levels) than for compensatory strategies (to teach new ways of performing tasks by ‘working round’ the cognitive deficit). Primarily medium effect sizes were observed for learning, memory, executive functioning, activities of daily living, general cognitive problems and self-rated general functioning. Several limitations of the published literature are discussed, including small sample sizes and the fact that most studies combine multiple treatment strategies, making it difficult to evaluate the efficacy of individual components.
Factors related to medication adherence in memory disorder clinic patients
- Authors:
- OWNBY R. L., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 10(4), July 2006, pp.378-385.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Medication adherence is a substantial problem in the elderly. It may be even more important among elderly persons with memory problems, since other factors that lead to non-adherence may be compounded with the memory problems themselves. The objective was to determine whether a model that integrates research on medication adherence from several research domains is useful in understanding adherence in elderly patients. The methodology involved a cross-sectional observational study using a convenience sample of 63 patients drawn from a university-affiliated outpatient memory disorders clinic. The primary measure of medication adherence was caregivers’ reports of patients’ medication adherence. Patients and their caregivers were asked questions assessing their beliefs about the seriousness of each condition for which a medication was prescribed and the likely outcome of that condition without treatment. Additional data collected included presence of side effects, total number of medications taken, and patients’ mood and cognitive status. Multilevel path analysis confirmed several model-based predictions. Caregivers’ reports of adherence were predicted by estimates of disease outcome, the presence of side effects, and patients’ relying on themselves to remember to take medications. Results partially confirm the integrative model in understanding medication adherence in these patients. Patients’ beliefs about the likely effect of medication treatment for their condition and the presence of side effects influence reported medication adherence. Results thus suggest that efforts to educate patients about the likely response of their medical condition to treatment and to assess and deal with medication side effects might improve patient adherence
Do older adults presenting with memory complaints wish to be told if later diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease?
- Author:
- ELSON Paul
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 21(5), May 2006, pp.419-425.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Many patients with Alzheimer's disease are not told their diagnosis. Studies have shown that relatives possess mixed views regarding whether or not patients should be told while elderly peers favour disclosure. Recent studies have shown that patients with diagnosed dementia also favour being told. The present study sought the views of patients prior to diagnosis. Participants in this UK study were a consecutive sample of patients aged 65 and over suffering from memory complaints. They were asked what they considered to be causing their memory problems and whether or not they would want to know the cause. They were then specifically asked if they would want to know if diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and what were their reasons for this. Two-thirds of patients were uncertain regarding the cause of their memory difficulties although the remainder did offer some valid explanations. Eighty-six per cent wanted to know the cause while 69% wanted to know if diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and a variety of reasons were offered to support their preference. The majority of older adults presenting to services with memory complaints had little understanding of the potential cause of their problems. Most were nevertheless keen to know the cause, even if this transpired to be Alzheimer's disease. The clinical implications of the findings are discussed and suggestions made for future research.
Teaching, teasing, flirting and fighting: a study of interactions between participants in a psychotherapeutic group for people with a dementia syndrome
- Authors:
- OFFORD Rosslyn E., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Dementia: the International Journal of Social Research and Practice, 5(2), May 2006, pp.167-195.
- Publisher:
- Sage
Interactions between six participants with a dementia syndrome were observed and recorded across an eight-week therapeutic group, using audio and video equipment. Sessions were analysed using ‘template analysis’ methodology. Three codes were used to describe participants' behaviour and discussion in the group. These described discussion of participants' experience of dementia, their responses to the group itself and ways in which participants used the group to fulfil their own needs. Subordinate codes illustrated these levels of participation. Participants offered practical and emotional support and listened, reflected and responded to others, whilst also using the group to meet their own needs. Group development was generally consistent with that of small groups for people without a dementia. The findings raise questions about the abilities that may be retained by people with a mild or moderate degree of dementia and challenge assumptions about ‘lack of insight’, and the positioning of people with a dementia as passive. The importance of providing contexts in which people with a dementia can express their abilities and reciprocate within relationships is discussed. Arguments for the efficacy of psychotherapeutic support for people with a dementia, and the inclusion of their perspectives in both research and practice are also considered.
Alzheimer's Cafe for people with and affected by dementia
- Author:
- MORRISSEY Matthew V.
- Journal article citation:
- Nursing Times, 11.04.06, 2006, pp.29-31.
- Publisher:
- Nursing Times
Discussing emotional trauma is a central part of care in dementia and can help individuals value and make sense of their lives. The Alzheimer's cafe, started in 1997 in the Netherlands, can facilitate this. This article reviews and an adapted version of an Alzheimer's cafe, operating in the UK in Farnborough, focusing on eight couples where one partner was newly diagnosed with dementia. It is primarily a reflective account.
Working with Alzheimer's disease
- Author:
- SUTCLIFFE David
- Publisher:
- Ullswater
- Publication year:
- 2006
- Pagination:
- 64p.
- Place of publication:
- Eastbourne
- Edition:
- 7th
A pocket-sized handbook for home helps and care attendants covering the management of the Alzheimer's sufferer, and support to carers.
A longitudinal study regarding conversion from mild memory impairment to dementia in a Japanese community
- Authors:
- ISHIKAWA Tomohisa, et al
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 21(2), February 2006, pp.134-139.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
The aim was to estimate the rate that subjects with Mild Memory Impairment /Not Dementia (MMI/ND) shifted to dementia in a population-based cohort and to establish simple diagnostic methods for identification of high-risk persons for dementia. Subjects in a community-based elderly cohort of MMI/ND were followed longitudinally. Subjects were selected from the participants in the first Nakayama study. MMI/ND was defined as memory deficit with objective memory assessment, without dementia, impairment of general cognitive function, or disability in activities of daily living. The conversion rate was calculated using the person-year method. At baseline, the sample consisted of 104 subjects (59 female; 45 male) selected from 1162 community dwellers aged over 65 year. During the five-year follow-up, 14 subjects died, 13 moved to other communities, and six refused to participate further. Eleven (10.6%) subjects were diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease (AD), five (4.8%) were diagnosed with vascular dementia (VaD), and six (5.8%) were diagnosed with dementia of other etiology. The annual conversion rate that MMI/ND shifted to AD is calculated on 8.5% per 100 person-year, and shifted to dementia on 16.1% per 100 person-year in this survey. The rate at which subjects with MMI/ND whose conditions shifted to dementia was the same as the rate that subjects with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) shifted to dementia in a previous report. It would be useful to identify groups of high-risk individuals for dementia by simple diagnostic methods.
Dementia patients caregivers quality of life: the pixel study
- Author:
- THOMAS Philippe
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 21(1), January 2006, pp.50-56.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This French survey aimed to determine parameters influencing caregivers' quality of life, and its possible link with patients' quality of life. A scale measuring caregivers' quality of life, developed from data from previous PIXEL studies was used. It is a questionnaire composed of 20 items. The scale was related to the socio-demographic data of both patients and their main caregivers, to the ADRQL scale (Alzheimer Disease Related Quality Life) of Rabins for the QoL of dementia patients, to the patients medical and therapeutic data, specially a neuropsychological inventory: Folstein's cognition test, Cornell's depression scale, the fast battery of frontal assessment, Katz's dependence index, Cummings' neuropsychiatric inventory for behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia and to a physician evaluation of caregiver's depression. One hundred patients diagnosed with dementia who live at home with their principal caregivers were recruited for this survey. The caregivers' quality of life was correlated to the quality of life of the patients they cared for, the importance of behavioural disorders, and the duration of dementia evolution. Women caregivers had a worse quality of life and were more depressive than men.