Search results for ‘Subject term:"older people"’ Sort:
Results 1 - 10 of 14
To tell or not to tell: comparison of older patients' reaction to their diagnosis of dementia and depression
- Authors:
- JHA Arun, TABET Naji, ORRELL Martin
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 16(9), September 2001, pp.879-885.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This study investigates the reaction of elderly patients to the disclosure of their diagnosis of dementia compared with depression. Elderly patients suffering from dementia and depression were asked to complete a questionnaire about the diagnosis and other aspects of their clinical summary sent to them by post. Demographic data included age, gender, marital status and occupation; degree of dementia or depression was established by administering the mini-mental state examination and the geriatric depression scale, respectively. Results showed most depressed and dementia patients liked the idea of reading their diagnosis but one quarter of dementia cases felt upset. Within the dementia group, the majority of patients with mild or severe dementia welcomed the idea of knowing their diagnosis; and 13 (100%) of the patients with vascular dementia wished to know (compared with 68% cases with Alzheimer's disease). Among dementia patients who also happened to be depressed, a higher proportion (60%) expressed an unfavourable view towards knowing their diagnosis, but only a minority (40%) of them were actually upset. Most older married females, especially those with depression and Alzheimer's disease, felt pessimistic afterwards. There was no significant difference between patients with dementia or depression in their wish to know their diagnosis. Patients with severe dementia, even if they felt upset, preferred to be told their diagnosis. Patients with vascular dementia tended to express a more favourable view.
Early diagnosis of dementia by GPs: an exploratory study of attitudes
- Authors:
- MILNE A.J., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 4(4), November 2000, pp.292-300.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
The capacity of early diagnosis of dementia to facilitate effective treatment and care is well established. Despite the likely influence of attitude on practice, little is known about GP attitudes towards early diagnosis. This study collected attitudinal data, and supplementary commentary, from nearly 60% of GPs in one health authority. The research suggests consistency between belief in the value of early diagnosis and reported practice. Overall, the study found that 40% of GPs hold positive views and 20% hold negative views towards early diagnosis. These views are underpinned by specific 'drivers' and 'barriers'. The study concludes that if GPs are to extend their commitment to early diagnosis, development work needs to focus on investing in the training and resources, which facilitate practice, and challenging attitudinal barriers, which undermine it.
Diagnostic disclosure in dementia: an opportunity for intervention
- Author:
- HUSBAND H.J.
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 15(6), June 2000, pp.544-547.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Reports on a study to find out from people with dementia what they were worried about in relation to their diagnosis, and how they changed their behaviour in relation to these worries. Found the commonest worries related to fear of others finding out, fears of social embarrassment, long term dependency needs and not being listened to. Commonest effects were social withdrawal and hypervigilance for evidence of cognitive failures.
Shame, hope, intimacy and growth: dementia distress and growth in families from the perspective of senior aged care professionals
- Authors:
- WALMSLEY Bruce D., McCORMACK Lynne
- Journal article citation:
- Dementia: the International Journal of Social Research and Practice, 15(6), 2016, pp.1666-1684.
- Publisher:
- Sage
Minimal research explores the impact of dementia and a dementia diagnosis on families from the unique vantage of senior health professionals. The participants of this study, eight senior aged care professionals, provided unique interpretative insights into family dynamics and sense-making on the journey with dementia, and their own role in that journey. Both positive and negative perspectives were sought. Data from semi-structured interviews were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). One superordinate theme, Dementia naiveté; redefined intimacy, overarched Embarrassed shame; Maintaining hope; Redefining a model of intimacy; and Redefined relational intimacy and growth. Within these themes, the participants shed light on hurtful embarrassment and shame experienced by families associated with the diagnostic label given to a loved one. This label was perceived to either trigger separation, hurt and immobility through ignorance, or precipitate a frenzy of naive yet hopeful energy for seeking that elusive cure. The participants saw their role as one of enacting a new way of connecting what was with what could be. Thus, they modelled advocacy, integral care and relational intimacy. Validation came in witnessing a redefining of intimacy in many families who were able to embrace that holistic and empathic approach to the shifting presentation of dementia. Psychological well-being was observed to occur when families embraced growthful domains, e.g. acceptance, hope, relational closeness and altruistic concern for other families. Implications for future care models are discussed. (Publisher abstract)
Increasing delirium skills at the front door: results from a repeated survey on delirium knowledge and attitudes
- Authors:
- JENKIN Rodric Peter Llewelyn, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Age and Ageing, 45(4), 2016, pp.517-522.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Background: Delirium is under-recognised in comparison to other common and serious acute disorders. A 2006 survey of UK junior doctors (not undertaking specialist training) identified poor knowledge of the diagnostic criteria and treatment of delirium. The authors hypothesised that increased prominence accorded to delirium in the form of national initiatives and guidelines may have had an impact on understanding among junior doctors. Objective: The authors repeated a multi-centre survey of knowledge of and attitudes to delirium in junior doctors (not undertaking specialist training) assessing unselected acute medical presentations (the ‘medical take’). Design: Questionnaire-based survey in 48 acute hospitals in UK and Ireland. Methods: The authors used questionnaires designed to test understanding of delirium, including prevalence, knowledge of the DSM-IV diagnostic criteria, use of specific screening tools, association with adverse outcomes and pharmacological management. Results: One thousand two hundred and fifteen trainee physicians participated. Compared with the 2006 cohort, improvements were seen in 9 of 17 knowledge-based questions and overall score improved in the 2013 cohort. Nonetheless, significant deficits in knowledge, particularly for the diagnostic criteria for delirium, remained. Conclusions: Despite improvements in some aspects of delirium knowledge, the diagnostic criteria for delirium remain poorly understood. Challenges remain in ensuring adequate training for junior doctors in delirium. (Edited publisher abstract)
Seventeen steps: the dementia strategy
- Authors:
- MANTHORPE Jill, ILIFFE Steve
- Journal article citation:
- Mental Health Today, April 2009, pp.25-29.
- Publisher:
- Pavilion
- Place of publication:
- Hove
The authors discuss the aspirations of the National Dementia Strategy and the challenges that need to be faced if the ideas are to become a reality. The discussion focuses on the three main themes of the Strategy: public and professional awareness; early diagnosis and improving the quality of care. The article includes the views of leading commentators.
Sharing letters with patients and their carers: problems and outcomes in elderly and dementia care
- Authors:
- TRELOAR Adrian, ADAMIS Dimitrios
- Journal article citation:
- Psychiatric Bulletin, 29(9), September 2005, pp.330-333.
- Publisher:
- Royal College of Psychiatrists
In a cross-sectional survey, this study assessed the attitudes of older patients and their carers towards receiving copies of letters about them and the effects upon outcomes of sharing letters. The opinions of consultants onletter-sharing were also studied. Few old age psychiatrists shared letters with patients or carers, and many had concerns about this practice. In contrast, letters were considered ‘very welcome’ by 87% of patients and carers who received them, and 81% of those who did not would be ‘very pleased’ to receive them. Patients and carers who had received letters had significantly better knowledge of their care plan, whom to contact and ways of making contact with services. Despite concerns expressed by psychiatrists, the findings support the sharing of letters with patients and carers of patients with dementia in old age psychiatry services.
Early-stage dementia: towards better services
- Author:
- MAGEE Natalie
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Dementia Care, 9(2), March 2001, pp.12-14.
- Publisher:
- Hawker
This article describes the first year of a three-year community project formed by South and East Belfast Health and Social Services Trust specifically to address the issues of early stage and early onset dementia. Stresses the importance of services being in place to help people as soon as dementia has been diagnosed.
Truth-telling and the diagnosis of dementia
- Author:
- PINNER Gill
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Psychiatry, 176, June 2000, pp.514-515.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Potential treatment options for Alzheimer's disease have resulted in issues surrounding early diagnosis and prognosis coming to the fore in the psychiatry of old age. Discusses the advantages and disadvantages of the disclosure of the diagnosis of dementia and the ethnical issues involved.
The psychological consequences of learning a diagnosis of dementia: three case examples
- Author:
- HUSBAND H.J.
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 3(2), May 1999, pp.179-183.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
The question of disclosure of dementia diagnosis has become of greater significance in recent years, probably in part due to people presenting at earlier stages of the disorder and the necessity for patients to be able to consent to drug treatment for Alzheimer' disease and greater public awareness of the condition. This article describes the effects on three people of learning their diagnosis, and a psychological intervention used with them. The methodological problems of research in this area are discussed, and the related question of what types of intervention may be used to maintain self-esteem, social functioning and cognitive abilities following diagnosis.