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Re-examining ethnic differences in concerns, knowledge, and beliefs about Alzheimer's disease: results from a national sample
- Author:
- AYALON Liat
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 28(12), 2013, pp.1288-1295.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
The 2010 US Health and Retirement Study was used to evaluate the differences in concerns, knowledge, and beliefs about Alzheimer's disease (AD) in three ethnic groups of older adults (White, Latino, and Black). Data from 939 White, 120 Latino, and 171 Black respondents who completed a special module about AD concerns, knowledge, and beliefs were analysed for the study. Significant ethnic differences were found on 7 of 13 items. However, after the adjustment for education, gender, age, having a family member with AD, depressive symptoms, and medical comorbidity, only four items showed significant ethnic group differences; relative to White respondents, Black respondents were less likely to report that having a parent or a sibling with AD increases the chance of developing AD and that genetics was an important risk for AD. In addition, relative to White respondents, both Black and Latino respondents were more likely to perceive stress as a potential risk for AD. Latino respondents were less likely to perceive mental activity as a protective factor. The study found limited ethnic group differences, with most items showing a similar pattern across groups. Nevertheless, the nature of the ethnic group differences found might be associated with a differential pattern of health service use. (Edited publisher abstract)
Design and management features of everyday technology that challenge older adults
- Authors:
- PATOMELLA Ann-Helen, KOTTORP Anders, NYGARD Louise
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 76(9), 2013, pp.390-398.
- Publisher:
- Sage
The management of everyday technologies could present too difficult a challenge for older adults with cognitive impairments, leading to their exclusion from participation. This study aims to identify and describe features that make everyday technologies more or less difficult for older adults, whether with or without cognitive difficulties. (Edited publisher abstract)
Dementia and suicidal behavior
- Authors:
- CIPRIANI Gabriele, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Aggression and Violent Behavior, 18(6), 2013, p.656–659.
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
Behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia, including depression, might complicate the course of the disorder additionally. Dementia is more frequent in older people and suicide rates are higher in later life than in any other age group. To explore the phenomenology of suicidal behaviour in patients with dementia, the authors searched electronic databases and key journals for original research and review articles on suicide in demented patients using the search terms “suicide, suicidal behaviour, dementia, Alzheimer disease, and old age”. Although cognitive impairment could result in a diminishing ability to think flexibly and to solve problems or to cope with conflict, in the early stage of dementia such impairments are absent or mild, and suicidal behaviour might be expected, especially following diagnosis. In addition, personality changes based on declining cognitive capacity and the neurochemical imbalances described in late-life depression and in dementia may predispose patients to aggressive or impulsive acts, such as suicide attempt. The literature on suicidal behaviour and dementia highlights the need for further research in this area. (Publisher abstract)
World Alzheimer report 2013: journey of caring: an analysis of long term care for dementia
- Authors:
- PRINCE Martin, et al
- Publisher:
- Alzheimer's Disease International
- Publication year:
- 2013
- Pagination:
- 92
- Place of publication:
- London
This report considers the prevalance of, and the contribution of dementia to dependence; long-term care services and the journey of care for people with dementia; quality of care and how it can be improved; and financing long-term care for dementia. The authors have identified four domains within which specific actions could lead to improvements in the quality of care for people with dementia: measuring and monitoring the quality of care; promoting autonomy and choice; coordinating and integrating care for people with dementia; and valuing and developing the dementia care workforce. The authors also identify seven key strategies for making long-term care more affordable: bolstering social protection for all older people in low and middle income countries; generating a ‘second demographic dividend’; pooling risk; ensuring that long-term care schemes are ‘fully-funded’; rationing (targeting) of public spending on care; supporting and incentivising informal care by family carers; and having a national discussion. Evidence from some systematic reviews is summarised. The report reveals that, as the world population ages, the traditional system of “informal” care by family, friends, and community will require much greater support. It finds that globally, 13% of people aged 60 or over require long-term care. However, between 2010 and 2050, the total number of older people with care needs will nearly treble from 101 to 277 million. (Original abstract)
Behavioral symptoms in mild cognitive impairment as compared with Alzheimer's disease and healthy older adults
- Authors:
- VAN DER MUSSELE Stefan, et al
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 28(3), 2013, pp.265-275.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a clinical concept that describes patients who are in an intermediate state between normal aging and dementia. It does not generally affect their activities of daily living but complex instrumental functions may be minimally impaired. Although behavioural symptoms are common in MCI they are not included in the concept. The aim of this study was to characterise behaviour in MCI compared with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and healthy older patients. The data were drawn from the baseline of a longitudinal study of behavioural symptoms of dementia and MCI. The study population, consisting of 270 MCI, 402 AD patients, and 108 healthy controls from Antwerp, underwent a battery of tests and assessments. Moderate-to-severe behavioural symptoms were present in 13% of MCI patients, compared with 39% in AD patients and 3% in controls. The general severity of behavioural symptoms was intermediate between controls and AD patients. The three most common symptoms in MCI patients were aggressiveness (49%), affective disturbance (45%), and anxiety (38%); in AD patients, they were aggressiveness (60%), activity disturbances (54%), and psychosis (40%). Overall the prevalence and severity of frontal lobe symptoms, aggressiveness, activity disturbances, and delusions was intermediate between normal aging and AD and the severity of physically non-aggressive, verbally agitated behaviour and the severity of depressive symptoms were also intermediate.