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Caring for older people with dementia and sight loss
- Author:
- LAWRENCE Vanessa
- Journal article citation:
- Nursing and Residential Care, 13(4), April 2011, pp.186-188.
- Publisher:
- MA Healthcare Ltd.
- Place of publication:
- London
A series of interviews were carried out with 17 older people with sight loss and dementia, 17 family carers and 18 care professionals who worked with them. The study aimed to discover the impact of sight loss and dementia, identify needs and make recommendations for supporting older people across care settings. A summary of the findings and recommendations for practice are presented.
Understanding the experiences and needs of people with dementia and sight loss
- Authors:
- LAWRENCE Vanessa, MURRAY Joanna
- Journal article citation:
- Working with Older People, 13(3), September 2009, pp.29-33.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
The authors present the findings of their research into how sight loss and dementia affects the lives of older people and their carers, based on 19 case studies in London and the south east involving interviews with 17 people with sight loss and dementia, 17 family carers and 18 care professionals who worked with them. Analysis of the case studies identified 7 areas of concern: joint sight loss and dementia created a sense of disorientation in many older people; concerns about safety threatened older people's independence; experiencing one form of loss increased the difficulty of accepting the second; visual hallucinations were common and disruptive; older people were highly vulnerable to isolation; family carers faced considerable demands; there was a risk of sight loss being overlooked in dementia care. The authors conclude that it is important that service providers and staff within dementia care settings recognise that sight loss creates needs that require extra time and attention from staff in order to support individuals in a way that promotes rather than undermines their autonomy.
The experiences and needs of people with dementia and serious visual impairment: a qualitative study
- Authors:
- LAWRENCE Vanessa, et al
- Publisher:
- Thomas Pocklington Trust
- Publication year:
- 2008
- Pagination:
- 27p.
- Place of publication:
- London
Visual impairment is one of the most common conditions in later life: common causes are aged related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma. Despite the high prevalence of sight loss in older adults, there have been few studies to examine its effects on quality of life, its psychological effect, or its effect on people’s ability to carry out activities of daily living. People with dementia are less able to express their needs and are therefore more likely to have uncorrected visual deficits. Poor vision in people with dementia leads to accelerated loss of independence and to an increased risk of psychotic symptoms such as visual hallucinations. The combined effects of dementia and serious sight loss can severely restrict independence with a consequent increase in reliance upon family carers and a higher risk of institutionalisation. It has been estimated that at least 2.5 per cent of people aged over 75 have both dementia and serious visual impairment. By finding out more about the needs and experiences of this group of people, the research team will be able to make recommendations for improving access to appropriate support for both individuals and their carers.
Threat to valued elements of life: the experience of dementia across three ethnic groups
- Authors:
- LAWRENCE Vanessa, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 51(1), February 2011, pp.39-50.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
The authors point to a lack of knowledge regarding the experiences of black and minority ethnic, older people with dementia in the UK. This qualitative research involved in depth interviews with 11 black Caribbean, 9 South Asian and 10 White British participants from four south London boroughs. They were questioned about the following: a vignette of Mr. G., who has moderate dementia; their own conditions; and about dementia, memory problems and Alzheimers disease. The main theme to emerge was that their conditions and support needs interfered with “valued elements of life”. Analysis revealed that each element of their evaluation processes was culturally informed. The authors quote many of the participants’ own words under headings of: understanding the condition; attitudes surrounding support needs and individual’s valued roles; relationships; and activities. The implications for policy and practice are discussed in terms of promoting and reducing threats to valued elements of life. The authors claim that through cognitive appraisal there is potential for professional and family carers to modify beliefs about dementia and promote the roles, relationships and activities that each individual with dementia values. By definition, this will result in taking note of the cultural identity of individuals and help in developing a multicultural approach.
Promoting independent living among people with dementia and sight loss
- Authors:
- LAWRENCE Vanessa, MURRAY Joanna
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Care Services Management, 3(3), April 2009, pp.261-274.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
This paper presents findings from the first qualitative research project to explore the experiences and needs of older adults with concurrent sight loss and dementia. The study found that individuals experienced a profound sense of disorientation and were highly vulnerable to isolation. The paper highlights the importance of providing this client group with corrective remedies for sight loss, a ‘user-friendly’ environment, optimal lighting, colour and contrast, assistive technology, clear verbal instructions, one-to-one contact and opportunities for interaction and activity. Different services were successful in providing aspects of this care. Mental health professionals tended to regard vision loss as a secondary concern. It is essential that service providers and care professionals acknowledge and respond to the complex needs of this population.