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Day care for older dementia patients: favorable effects on behavioral and psychological symptoms and caregiver stress
- Authors:
- MOSSELLO Enrico, et al
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 23(10), October 2008, pp.1066-1072.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This Italian study assesses the effects of Day Care (DC) on older subjects with dementia and their caregivers. Thirty patients with dementia, consecutively admitted to a DC, were compared with 30 patients, matched for age and cognitive function, who received usual home care (HC). Primary caregivers were compared as well. At baseline and after 2 months, patients were assessed for cognitive and functional status, behavioural and psychological symptoms [Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI)] and psychotropic drugs use, and caregivers were evaluated for care burden [Caregiver Burden Inventory (CBI)] and depressive symptoms. After adjusting for potential confounders, NPI score significantly decreased in DC group, with a reduction of psychotropic drugs prescription, whereas it increased in HC. No significant between-group difference was observed for cognitive and functional change. CBI significantly decreased in DC, but not HC, caregivers, with no significant between-group difference in depressive symptoms change.
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)