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The diagnosis of dementia: who wants to know?
- Author:
- ELSON Paul
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Dementia Care, 14(5), September 2006, pp.36-38.
- Publisher:
- Hawker
The author describes a study which sought the views of older people who were consulting their doctors about memory difficulties, on whether they would like to be informed of a subsequent possible diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. The study asked a sample of people aged 65 and over who had been referred for investigation of their memory complaints. They lived in South Wales, in two NHS Trust areas. Of the 36 people interviewed, most people (31, 86%) wished to be told if specifically diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.
Patients and families desire a patient to be told the diagnosis of dementia: a survey by questionnaire on a Dutch memory clinic
- Authors:
- DAUTZENBERG Paul L., et al
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 18(9), September 2003, pp.777-779.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This study examined as to whether, both patients with subdued memory impairment and their accompanying relatives want a diagnosis of dementia or somatic disease disclosed to the referred patient. Fifty consecutive out-patients referred to a memory clinic and their accompanying relatives filled in a questionnaire regarding their views on telling the diagnosis to the patient in case of a somatic disease and in case of a dementia. Forty-six (92%) questionnaires were completed. All the patients and their accompanying relatives thought it was at least important that physicians should tell the patient their diagnosis in case of a somatic disease, and 96% of the patients, 100% of the spouse and 94% of the non-spouse accompanying relatives stated the same in case of a dementia. All the spouses and most of the accompanying relatives showed similar desires for a dementia or somatic diagnosis.
Information for dementia patients and their caregivers: what information does a memory clinic pass on, and to whom?
- Authors:
- VERNOOIJ-DASSEN M. J. F. J., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 7(1), January 2003, pp.34-38.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
This study assessed the information provided in a memory clinic and the patient and caregiver factors that influenced the provision of information. The study was part of a larger cross-sectional study of the diagnosis of dementia and satisfaction with information given. The participants were 51 elderly patients suspected of having dementia and living at home together with their caregivers. The main outcome measures were the checklist of information communicated to the patients and caregivers, patients' behavioural problems, patients' instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) problems, and caregivers' sense of competence. The results indicate that basic information about the diagnosis was given to 86% of patients and 88% of caregivers. Specific information about patients' behaviour and professional care was more often given when patients had more cognitive, behavioural, or IADL problems and caregivers had a lower sense of competence. Adequate information should not only include issues considered relevant by clinicians but should also be tailored to the information needs of patients and caregivers.
Knowledge about symptoms of Alzheimer's disease: correlates and relationship to help-seeking behaviour
- Author:
- WERNER Paul
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 18(11), November 2003, pp.1029-1036.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
The aim of this study was to assess relationships between knowledge about symptoms of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and help seeking intention among the lay public. A convenience sample of 150 community-dwelling persons aged over 45, who did not have a close relative diagnosed with AD, participated in the study. Knowledge about 11 warning signs of AD as described in the information provided by the Alzheimer's Association, and four non-AD symptoms was assessed, together with intentions to seek help from professional and non-professional sources. Background characteristics included socio-demographic characteristics, personal experience with AD, and perceived threat. Although participants' knowledge about AD symptoms overall was fair, only a slight percentage reported memory problems to be symptoms of the disease. Participants differentiated between AD warning and non-warning signs. Older participants reported consistently more AD and non-AD symptoms, while higher concerns about developing the disease was associated with reporting more non-AD symptoms. Higher knowledge about AD symptoms was associated with increased intentions to seek help from professional sources. Efforts to increase knowledge about AD symptoms should be expanded, with special attention to risk groups. Improved recognition of AD symptoms will promote adequate help-seeking behaviors and will increase early identification and treatment of AD.
The Alzheimer's handbook: a guide to the diagnosis and management of the causes of confusion and dementia
- Authors:
- BENNETT Gerry, JONES Mark
- Publisher:
- Vermilion
- Publication year:
- 2001
- Pagination:
- 192p.,bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- London
This book presents a practical guide to getting the most up-to-date information on treatment and offers answers to some of the most frequently asked questions such as: what are 'confusional states' and dementias, and how are they caused? There are many types of condition which cause confusion. Alzheimer's Disease is one, but there are also others, which can frequently be effectively treated after prompt diagnosis. The handbook gives sufferers and their carers practical and helpful information in the crucial areas of diagnosis, treatment and care.
Theoretical models of cognitive aging and implications for translational research in medicine
- Authors:
- BROWN Scott C., PARK Denise C.
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 43(Special Issue), March 2003, pp.57-67.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
This article provides an overview of theoretical models of cognitive aging and present empirical research that uses these models to explain older patients' medical behaviours and to develop interventions for improving the delivery of health information and services to older adults. Theoretical accounts of age and cognition are summarized and are related to key research findings, including age differences in comprehension of medical information, adherence, and use of medical technologies. The implications of cognitive aging theories for designing optimal medical environments and enhancing adherence are discussed. Age declines in basic cognitive abilities such as working memory capacity limit older adults' ability to comprehend and recall several types of novel medical information. In contrast, automatic processes and environmental cues can benefit older adults, as shown by age increases in compliance for practiced or mentally imaged health behaviors, but can also be dangerous, as shown by older adults' greater belief in false but familiar health statements. Last, cognitive aging is shown to be a useful model for investigating cognitive disorders.