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Sporting memories & the social inclusion of older people experiencing mental health problems
- Authors:
- CLARK Michael, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Mental Health and Social Inclusion, 19(4), 2015, pp.202-211.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: Social exclusion and isolation of older people and their mental health are likely to be more significant, interlinked issues for society as countries experience an ageing demographic profile. The authors urgently need to identify effective ways of addressing these challenges that can be easily mobilised to meet diverse needs in different settings. The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of sporting memories (SM) work as one approach to help meet this need. This SM work entails the use of sports-based reminiscence to engage with older people experiencing mental health problems. To date this has especially focused on people living with dementia in institutional and in community settings. Design/methodology/approach: The paper sets out the SM idea and discusses lessons learnt from case studies of its application to meet the inclusion and mental health needs of different older people in institutional and community settings. Findings: The evidence from the application of SM work to date is that it is an effective and flexible means of engaging people to improve their social inclusion and mental well-being. It can be readily deployed in various care and community settings. Research limitations/implications: The evidence to date is of case studies of the use of SM work, and, although these are now extensive case studies, further research is needed on the costs and impacts of SM work. Practical implications: SM work is a flexible and readily adoptable intervention to engage older people and help improve their social inclusion and mental well-being. Social implications: SM work can be an important part of meeting some of the challenges society faces with an ageing population profile. Originality/value: This is the first paper to set out the SM work. (Publisher abstract)
Diagnostic communication in the memory clinic: a conversation analytic perspective
- Author:
- PEEL Elizabeth
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 19(12), 2015, pp.1123-1130.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Whether and how patients should be told their dementia diagnosis, has been an area of much debate. While there is now recognition that early diagnosis is important for dementia care little research has looked at how dementia-related diagnostic information is actually verbally communicated. The limited previous research suggests that the absence of explicit terminology (e.g., use of the term Alzheimer's) is problematic. This paper interrogates this assumption through a conversation analysis of British naturalistic memory clinic interaction. (Edited publisher abstract)
Stressors and caregivers’ depression: multiple mediators of self-efficacy, social support, and problem-solving skill
- Authors:
- TANG Fengyan, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Social Work in Health Care, 54(7), 2015, pp.651-668.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Caring for an older adult with memory loss is stressful. Caregiver stress could produce negative outcomes such as depression. Previous research is limited in examining multiple intermediate pathways from caregiver stress to depressive symptoms. This study addresses this limitation by examining the role of self-efficacy, social support, and problem solving in mediating the relationships between caregiver stressors and depressive symptoms. Using a sample of 91 family caregivers, the authors tested simultaneously multiple mediators between caregiver stressors and depression. Results indicate that self-efficacy mediated the pathway from daily hassles to depression. Findings point to the importance of improving self-efficacy in psychosocial interventions for caregivers of older adults with memory loss. (Edited publisher abstract)
Modeling active aging and explicit memory: an empirical study
- Authors:
- DE LEON Laura Ponce, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Health and Social Work, 40(3), 2015, pp.183-190.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
The rapid growth of the population of older adults and their concomitant psychological status and health needs have captured the attention of researchers and health professionals. To help fill the void of literature available to social workers interested in mental health promotion and ageing, the authors provide a model for active ageing that uses psychosocial variables. Structural equation modelling was used to examine the relationships among the latent variables of the state of explicit memory, the perception of social resources, depression, and the perception of quality of life in a sample of 184 older adults. The results suggest that explicit memory is not a direct indicator of the perception of quality of life, but it could be considered an indirect indicator as it is positively correlated with perception of social resources and negatively correlated with depression. These last two variables influenced the perception of quality of life directly, the former positively and the latter negatively. The main outcome suggests that the perception of social support improves explicit memory and quality of life and reduces depression in active older adults. The findings also suggest that gerontological professionals should design memory training programs, improve available social resources, and offer environments with opportunities to exercise memory. (Edited publisher abstract)
Self-help memory training for healthy older adults in a residential care center: specific and transfer effects on performance and beliefs
- Authors:
- CAVALLINI Elena, et al
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 30(8), 2015, pp.870-880.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Objectives: This study investigated the efficacy of self-help training for healthy older adults in a residential care centre on memory tasks they practiced (associative and object list learning tasks) and any transfer to other tasks (grocery lists, face–name learning, figure–word pairing, word lists, and text learning). Transfer effects on everyday life (using a problem-solving task) and on participants' beliefs regarding their memory (efficacy and control) were also examined. With the aid of a manual, the training adopted a learner-oriented approach that directly encouraged learners to generalize strategic behaviour to new tasks. The maintenance of any training benefits was assessed after 6 months. Method: The study involved 34 residential care centre residents (aged 70–99 years old) with no cognitive impairments who were randomly assigned to two programmes: the experimental group followed the self-help training program, whereas the active control group was involved in general cognitive stimulation activities. Results: Training benefits emerged in the trained group for the tasks that were practiced. Transfer effects were found in memory and everyday problem-solving tasks and on memory beliefs. The effects of training were generally maintained in both practiced and unpracticed memory tasks. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that learner-oriented self-help training enhances memory performance and memory beliefs, in the short term at least, even in residential care centre residents. (Edited publisher abstract)
Interventions for older persons reporting memory difficulties: a randomized controlled pilot study
- Authors:
- COHEN-MANSFIELD Jiska, et al
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 30(5), 2015, p.478–486.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Objective: The objective of this study is to compare three different interventions for persons who report memory difficulties: health promotion, cognitive training, and a participation-centred course, using a single-blind, randomized controlled design. Methods: Participants were 44 Israeli adults with memory complaints, aged 65 years or older. The main outcome variable was the Global Cognitive Score assessed using the MindStreams® mild cognitive impairment assessment, a computerised cognitive assessment. The Mini-Mental State Examination and the self-report of memory difficulties were also utilised. To assess well-being, the UCLA Loneliness Scale-8 was used. Health was evaluated by self-report instruments. Results: All three interventions resulted in significant improvement in cognitive function as measured by the computerised cognitive assessment. All approaches seemed to decrease loneliness. The only variable which showed a significant difference among the groups is the self-report of memory difficulties, in which the cognitive training group participants reported greater improvement than the other groups. Conclusion: Multiple approaches should be offered to older persons with memory complaints. The availability of diverse options would help fit the needs of a heterogeneous population. An educational media effort to promote the public's understanding of the efficacy of these multiple approaches is needed. (Edited publisher abstract)
Alcohol screening in people with cognitive impairment: an exploratory study
- Authors:
- RANDALL-JAMES James, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Dual Diagnosis, 11(1), 2015, pp.65-74.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Objective: This study examines the feasibility and acceptability of routine screening for alcohol misuse in a small sample of older people with cognitive impairment receiving services in memory clinics. Methods: This study employed a qualitative and exploratory design, using a convenience sample of individuals attending a memory clinic in England. Ten service users older than 65 with a diagnosis of cognitive impairment (mild cognitive impairment or dementia) took part in the study. Individuals who met inclusion criteria were invited to take part in an hour-long interview, which included the interviewer administering the alcohol screening tools. Interview transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Participants were able to engage with the screening tools and could, with assistance, complete them in a collaborative and timely manner without distress. Participants reported that these tools were acceptable as part of the clinic assessment and administering the screening tools was not time-consuming or difficult. While there were some challenges (e.g., arithmetic, recall, language problems), these challenges could be overcome with the aid of the person administering the screening tool using standardised techniques for assessment administration. Conclusions: Routine screening for alcohol misuse in older people with cognitive impairment receiving services in memory clinics is feasible and acceptable. The process of completing alcohol screening tools with older adults receiving services at memory clinics may increase awareness of the potential impact of alcohol on cognitive functioning and provide practitioners with an opportunity to educate service users about the ways that their drinking is affecting their memory. (Edited publisher abstract)
HIV-related cognitive dysfunction: implications for aging and social work
- Authors:
- VANCE David E., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Social Work in Mental Health, 13(6), 2015, pp.553-570.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Half of adults with HIV experience HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorder (HAND). HIV infects microglial and macrophages in the brain, resulting in a neurotoxic environment that inhibits the function of neurons, thus impairing cognition. Social workers require an understanding of how HIV-related cognitive dysfunction develops within the larger context of mental illness, substance use, and socioeconomic status. This article briefly reviews the clinical diagnosis of HAND and some interrelated neurobiological and psychosocial factors. Research implications for improving cognition are important as one considers: (1) The impact of the ageing process on cognition and (2) the growing number of older adults with HIV. (Edited publisher abstract)
Older adults’ views and experiences of doll therapy in residential care homes
- Authors:
- ALANDER Heidi, PRESCOTT Tim, JAMES Ian A.
- Journal article citation:
- Dementia: the International Journal of Social Research and Practice, 14(5), 2015, pp.574-588.
- Publisher:
- Sage
Background and purpose The mechanisms underlying the success of doll therapy are poorly understood. The aims of this study were to explore how people in care, doll users and non-users, make sense of doll use in their settings. Methodology A grounded theory approach was used, recruiting participants from three residential care homes involving four male and 12 female residents. Data collection occurred in two phases; five participants took part in a focus group and later 11 participants were interviewed individually. Eight of the 11 participants had dementia, and four participants were actively using dolls. Results and conclusion The results are presented as themes, and sub-themes, consisting of four main categories (intrapersonal features, interpersonal features, behavioural benefits, ethical and moderating factors). This thematic analysis shows that residents generally support the use of dolls, believing that dolls can have a positive impact on some users. The mechanisms by which this impact is achieved are discussed together with the ethical concerns. (Edited publisher abstract)
South Asian older adults with memory impairment: improving assessment and access to dementia care
- Authors:
- GIEBE Clarissa M., et al
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 30(4), 2015, pp.345-356.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Objective: With increasing international migration, mental health care of migrants and ethnic minorities is a public health priority. South Asian older adults experience difficulties in accessing services for memory impairment, dementia and mental illness. This review examines barriers and facilitators in the pathway to culturally appropriate mental health care. Methods: Web of Knowledge, Pubmed and Ovid databases were searched for literature on South Asian older adults or their family carers, their understandings of mental illness and dementia and their pattern of service use. Dates were from 1984 to 2012. Abstracts were assessed for relevance, followed by detailed reading of salient papers. Three researchers rated the quality of each included study. A narrative synthesis was undertaken of extracted and charted data. Results: Eighteen studies met the eligibility criteria for the review. South Asians and health professionals highlighted several difficulties which deterred help seeking and access to care: a lack of knowledge of dementia and mental illness, and of local services; stigma; culturally preferred coping strategies; and linguistic and cultural barriers in communication and decision making. Conclusions: To improve access for these groups, service users and providers need to be better informed; services need to be more culturally tailored, sometimes employing staff with similar cultural backgrounds; and health professionals can benefit from dementia education and knowledge of local services. These factors are key to the delivery of the National Dementia Strategy in England. (Publisher abstract)