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The results from a two-year case study of an information and communication technology support system for family caregivers
- Author:
- LUNDBERG Stephan
- Journal article citation:
- Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, 9(4), 2014, pp.353-358.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- London
Purpose: The aim was to better understand how information and communication technology (ICT) can provide support to elderly family caregivers caring for significant others suffering from dementia or stroke. Method: Ten households equipped with an ICT system, with a family caregiver and a spouse diagnosed with dementia or stroke, were followed and observed in a two-year case study. The family caregivers had regular meetings in groups organised by the municipal care of the elderly. Data from observations, semi-structured interviews, user data from the ICT system and data about the support provided by the municipality has been used to validate the findings. Results: The family caregivers socialised with users in the group as long as the users were stayed in the group. Meetings in the group were an important opportunity for exchanging experiences and to easing one”s mind. The ICT system did not reduce the municipality”s level of services to the participating families. The information built into the system has to be constantly updated to be of interest. Conclusions: An ICT support must be provided in a context of personal meetings and with a formal caregiver backing. This will empower informal or family caregivers. Such support must give the user the possibility to communicate and get access to the Internet. Implications for Rehabilitation: 1) Benefits were obtained when informal caregivers met with a group of people with whom they share the same kind of experiences and were supported by a formal caregiver; 2) Informal caregivers need more attention and recognition; 3) ICT systems can help but must be current and maintain the users interest. (Publisher abstract)
Supportive care for the person with dementia
- Editors:
- HUGHES Julian C., LLOYD-WILLIAMS Mari, SACHS Greg A., (eds.)
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- Publication year:
- 2010
- Pagination:
- 313p.
- Place of publication:
- Oxford
Drawing on a number of international contributors, this publication outlines a model of supportive care for people with dementia. Real life case studies of patients, carers and practitioners are used explain the reality of the complex problems experienced by someone with dementia and by those formally and informally caring for them. Supportive care is defined as holistic care of patients. It is care from multi-disciplinary services from diagnosis to intervention aimed at prolonging life to improving the quality of life through palliative care at end of life. Supportive care must deal with active therapies’ side-effects; co-morbidities; the patient’s psychological, social and spiritual needs; and the needs of family carers.
A neurological and philosophical perspective on the design of environments and technology for older people with dementia
- Authors:
- VERKERK Maarten J., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Enabling Technologies, 12(2), 2018, pp.57-75.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: Older people with dementia (OPD) have specific housing and technology-related needs, for which various design principles exist. A model for designing environments and its constituting items for people with dementia that has a firm foundation in neurology may help guide designers in making design choices. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach: A general design model is presented consisting of three principles for OPD, namely designing for ageing people; designing for a favourable state and designing for beautiful moments. The neurosciences as a whole give shape to an eminent framework explaining the behaviour of OPD. One of the objectives of this paper is to translate the design principles into design specifications and to show that these specifications can be translated in a design. Findings: Philosophical concepts are introduced which are required to understand design for OPD. Four case studies from Dutch nursing homes are presented that show how the theory of modal aspects of the philosopher Dooyeweerd can be used to map design specifications in a systematic way. Research limitations/implications: These examples of design solutions illustrate the applicability of the model developed in this article. It emphasises the importance of the environment for supporting the daily life of OPD. Originality/value: There is a need for a design model for OPD. The environment and technology should initiate positive behaviours and meaningful experiences. In this paper, a general model for the designing of environments for OPD was developed that has a firm foundation in neurology and behavioural sciences. This model consists of six distinct steps and each step can be investigated empirically. In other words, this model may lay the foundation for an evidence-based design. (Edited publisher abstract)
Preserving autonomy and selfhood in Alzheimer's disease: a case study
- Authors:
- KUHN Daniel, MOSS Lisa
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Social Work in Long-Term Care, 1(3), 2002, pp.17-35.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- London
Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia. The numbers of individuals with the disease and those who care for them are expected to grow dramatically in the coming decades. Social workers encountering people with the disease and their families in a variety of settings must be aware of the disease, its effects on individuals and families, and appropriate resources. This article provides an overview of the medical, social and psychological aspects of the disease. Common challenges of individuals with the disease are illustrated through the case of a woman living alone in the community who was helped to maintain her quality of life through psychotherapy and a variety of supportive services.
Cognitive rehabilitation as a component of early intervention in Alzheimer's disease: a single case study
- Authors:
- CLARE L., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 7(1), January 2003, pp.15-21.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Early intervention in Alzheimer's disease (AD) should focus on psychological and social needs as well as the provision of medication. One possible component of early intervention programmes for people with early-stage AD is cognitive rehabilitation aimed at fostering the development of strategies for coping with memory problems. The likely relevance of cognitive rehabilitation in early-stage AD is supported by neuropsychological and experimental learning studies, but further work is required to develop clinically relevant interventions, which can be applied in the real-life setting.
Thinking preventively about dementia: a review
- Author:
- COOPER Brian
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 17(10), October 2002, pp.895-906.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Recent developments in a number of research fields afford prospects for advances in primary and secondary prevention of dementia. These include findings from case-control and cohort studies of associations with earlier head injury and vascular disease, possibilities of pharmacological protection for persons at high risk for Alzheimer's disease, and the use of more effective anti-dementia drugs in the mild to moderate stages of severity. Research aimed at tertiary prevention is lagging behind, but there are some indications that the worst features of late-stage decline could already be mitigated by improvements in community support services and nursing-home care. Containment of the growing social and economic burdens of dementia calls for a national policy to ensure that new research findings can be translated into practice and applied to the benefit of all old people who stand in need. For this purpose the most appropriate conceptual framework is supplied by a preventive model, broadly similar to those already developed for some other forms of chronic degenerative disease.
Is home the safest place?
- Author:
- HOPKINS Graham
- Journal article citation:
- Community Care, 27.06.02, 2002, pp.46-47.
- Publisher:
- Reed Business Information
Discusses the risk assessment process for one social work practitioner who had to decide whether an older women with dementia and a serious skin condition could be cared for by her husband at home, or whether her needs would be best met by her being placed at a care home.
Dementia: early diagnosis is vital for best care
- Author:
- HAMILTON Lucy
- Journal article citation:
- Nursing Times, 1.3.01, 2001, pp.41-42.
- Publisher:
- Nursing Times
Argues that district and community nurses need to seek early diagnosis of dementia and pay greater attention to patients' wishes.