Search results for ‘Subject term:"older people"’ Sort:
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How to identify dementia: a guide for care assistants working in social care
- Author:
- SKILLS FOR CARE
- Publisher:
- Skills for Care
- Publication year:
- 2015
- Pagination:
- 2
- Place of publication:
- Leeds
A brief introduction to the signs and symptoms of dementia, highlighting the reasons why it is important that people with dementia receive a diagnosis and explaining what to do if suspecting that someone may have dementia. (Edited publisher abstract)
The assessment of pain in older people: national guidelines
- Authors:
- ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS, BRITISH GERIATRICS SOCIETY, BRITISH PAIN SOCIETY
- Publisher:
- Royal College of Physicians
- Publication year:
- 2007
- Pagination:
- 13p.
- Place of publication:
- London
Pain is a subjective, personal experience, and its assessment is particularly challenging in the presence of severe cognitive impairment, communication difficulties or language and cultural barriers. As a result it is often under-recognised and under-treated in older people. These guidelines form part of a series intended to inform those aspects of physicians’ clinical practice which may be outside their own specialist area and are designed to help them make rapid, informed decisions. The advice is based on synthesis of the best available evidence and expert consensus gathered from practising clinicians and service users. The guidelines set out the key components of assessing pain in older people, together with a variety of practical scales that may be used with different groups, including those with cognitive or communication impairment. The purpose is to provide professionals with a set of practical skills to assess pain as the first step towards its effective management. The guidance is relevant to all healthcare and social care staff and can be applied in a wide variety of settings, including the older person’s own home, in care homes, and in hospital.
Improving the detection of correctable low vision in older people
- Author:
- THOMAS POCKLINGTON TRUST
- Publisher:
- Thomas Pocklington Trust
- Publication year:
- 2008
- Pagination:
- 8p.
- Place of publication:
- London
What is the optimum test battery for visual screening of older people and what sensitivity and specificity does this have for detecting correctable visual impairment? The study is mainly quantitative. A battery of computerised visual screening tests will be compared with a full eye examination, in two blind studies. The first study will be used to refine the test battery and to develop a flip chart rapid vision screener. The sensitivity and specificity of the refined computerised screener and flip chart rapid screener will be evaluated in a second study. The main target conditions are uncorrected refractive error and cataract, since these are readily correctable. The sensitivity and specificity of the screening tools for detecting these problems will be calculated. The value of different screening venues will also be investigated People aged 65 years and older will be approached through a variety of sources (e.g., community centres, GP surgeries, hospital clinics, nursing homes). The only selection criterion is age. Two studies each require 300 participants. The results of the computerised screening will be compared with the results of a full eye examination. The ability of the screening tools to detect other eye conditions will also be evaluated, as a secondary aim, as will the prevalence of correctable low vision in older people, the role of ethnicity and poverty, and barriers to existing services.
Defining dementia
- Authors:
- BADGER Frances, et al
- Publisher:
- University of Birmingham. Health Services Research Centre
- Publication year:
- 1988
- Pagination:
- 28p., tables, bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- Birmingham
Discusses the issues and problems associated with defining dementing illnesses and identifying people who suffer from them.
Hidden crisis: why millions keep quiet about hearing loss
- Author:
- ECHALIER Melissa
- Publisher:
- Royal National Institute for Deaf People
- Publication year:
- 2012
- Pagination:
- 38p.
- Place of publication:
- London
Hearing loss affects 1 in 7 of the adult UK population, and 55% of people over 60 years. Previous research has suggested that people may wait up to 15 years between the onset of hearing loss and seeking medical advice about it. This delay is problematic because it is important that people start wearing hearing aids as soon as possible in order to adjust to the amplified sound. This study comprised qualitative interviews with 24 hearing aid users (11 aged over 60 years and 13 aged under 60 years) throughout the UK. The aim was to gain a better understanding of people’s decision-making around diagnosis of their hearing loss, particularly identifying the factors that lead patients to consult their GP or a private hearing aid dispenser, and those factors that act as barriers to consultation. The research also aimed to explore the factors that influence whether hearing aid users gain the utmost benefit from their hearing aid, as well as other related factors that have an impact on their ability to live a full life. The findings are presented under the following themes: patients’ journey to diagnosis; experiences of health services; impact of hearing loss on relationships, family and social life; and support and equipment. Recommendations are provided in relation to all of these themes.
World Alzheimer report 2011: the benefits of early diagnosis and intervention: executive summary
- Authors:
- PRINCE Martin, BRYCE Renata, FERRI Cleusa
- Publisher:
- Alzheimer's Disease International
- Publication year:
- 2011
- Pagination:
- 32p.
- Place of publication:
- London
This report shows that there are interventions that are effective in the early stages of dementia, some of which may be more effective when started earlier, and that there is a strong economic argument in favour of earlier diagnosis and timely intervention. Based on a quantitative research review, key finding suggest that dementia diagnosis provides access to a pathway of evidence-based treatment, care and support across the disease course. The impact of a dementia diagnosis depends greatly upon how it is made and imparted. Earlier diagnosis allows people with dementia to plan ahead while they still have the capacity to make important decisions about their future care. In addition, they and their families can receive timely practical information, advice and support. Only through receiving a diagnosis can they get access to available drug and non-drug therapies that may improve their cognition and enhance their quality of life. And, they can, if they choose, participate in research for the benefit of future generations. Finally, Available evidence suggests that governments should ‘spend to save’ – in other words, invest now to save in the future. Economic models suggest that the costs associated with an earlier dementia diagnosis are more than offset by the cost savings from the benefits of anti-dementia drugs and caregiver interventions.
World Alzheimer report 2011: the benefits of early diagnosis and intervention
- Authors:
- PRINCE Martin, BRYCE Renata, FERRI Cleusa
- Publisher:
- Alzheimer's Disease International
- Publication year:
- 2011
- Pagination:
- 68p.
- Place of publication:
- London
This report shows that there are interventions that are effective in the early stages of dementia, some of which may be more effective when started earlier, and that there is a strong economic argument in favour of earlier diagnosis and timely intervention. Based on a quantitative research review, key finding suggest that dementia diagnosis provides access to a pathway of evidence-based treatment, care and support across the disease course. The impact of a dementia diagnosis depends greatly upon how it is made and imparted. Earlier diagnosis allows people with dementia to plan ahead while they still have the capacity to make important decisions about their future care. In addition, they and their families can receive timely practical information, advice and support. Only through receiving a diagnosis can they get access to available drug and non-drug therapies that may improve their cognition and enhance their quality of life. And, they can, if they choose, participate in research for the benefit of future generations. Finally, Available evidence suggests that governments should ‘spend to save’ – in other words, invest now to save in the future. Economic models suggest that the costs associated with an earlier dementia diagnosis are more than offset by the cost savings from the benefits of anti-dementia drugs and caregiver interventions.
The circumstances and support needs of older people with autism
- Authors:
- STUART-HAMILTON Ian, et al
- Publisher:
- Autism Cymru
- Publication year:
- 2009
- Pagination:
- 55p., bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- Cardiff
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) affects approximately 17,000 people in Wales. It is present from birth and is characterised by difficulties with language and social skills. The full range of forms ASD can take was not understood until the late 1980s, when diagnosis became far common. The result is that older adults missed being diagnosed as children. This project examined the circumstances and support needs of older people with ASD through three research studies: an on-line survey of people with ASD or who believed they had ASD; in-depth interviews with people in middle adulthood diagnosed with, or seeking a diagnosis of, ASD; and secondary analysis of a large Welsh dataset to compare the quality of life and psychological difficulties of adults and older adults with intellectual disability both with and without autism. However, relatively few older adults with ASD were found in spite of a wide-ranging search. Levels of unemployment, anxiety and depression are all significantly higher in older adults with ASD, and Adults with ASD who are employed need support in terms of greater awareness in the workforce; advocacy; and social skills training. In conclusion, collaboration is needed across the UK to carry out a study of a large sample of high functioning individuals diagnosed with, or suspected to have, ASD
Improving the detection of correctable low vision in older people
- Authors:
- EVANS Bruce, JESSA Zahra
- Publisher:
- Thomas Pocklington Trust
- Publication year:
- 2008
- Pagination:
- 15p.
- Place of publication:
- London
What is the optimum test battery for visual screening of older people and what sensitivity and specificity does this have for detecting correctable visual impairment? The study is mainly quantitative. A battery of computerised visual screening tests will be compared with a full eye examination, in two blind studies. The first study will be used to refine the test battery and to develop a flip chart rapid vision screener. The sensitivity and specificity of the refined computerised screener and flip chart rapid screener will be evaluated in a second study. The main target conditions are uncorrected refractive error and cataract, since these are readily correctable. The sensitivity and specificity of the screening tools for detecting these problems will be calculated. The value of different screening venues will also be investigated.
Understanding vascular dementia
- Author:
- ALZHEIMER'S SOCIETY
- Publisher:
- Alzheimer's Society
- Publication year:
- 2005
- Pagination:
- 18p.
- Place of publication:
- London
This booklet has been written to help anyone affected by vascular dementia – people with dementia, carers, family members and professionals – to understand the condition. It is a type of dementia caused by problems with the supply of blood to, or within the brain. The stages are similar to those of Alzheimer's disease, but the decline of functions happens in steps, rather than gradually. Symptoms vary, depending on which parts of the brain have been damaged and how severe the damage is. Researchers believe that people who have had a stroke have an increased risk of developing vascular dementia. In the early stages, the individual may not experience memory problems and the personality will be unaffected. Subcategories of vascular dementia include (1) mild vascular cognitive impairment, (2) multi-infarct dementia, (3) vascular dementia due to a strategic single infarct, (5) vascular dementia due to hemorrhagic lesions, (6) Binswanger’s disease and (7) mixed dementia (combination of AD and vascular dementia.