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Depression, cognitive reserve and memory performance in older adults
- Authors:
- MURPHY Mike, O’LEARY Eleanor
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 25(7), July 2010, pp.665-671.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This study examined the relationship between education and leisure, as markers of cognitive reserve, depressive symptoms and memory performance in a sample of cognitively normal Irish older adults. It was hypothesised that greater education level and leisure activity and lower depressive symptoms would emerge as predictors of superior recall performance. The sample consisted of 99 community-dwelling volunteers (65 female, 34 male) living in the area of Cork city, Ireland. All participants were aged between 60 and 83 years, were deemed cognitively normal on the basis of Mini-Mental State Examination scores, and were not taking antidepressant or anxiolytic medications. A cross-sectional survey was employed, involving a face-to-face meeting with each of the participants. The results showed that, controlling for age and gender, depressive symptoms were associated with poorer immediate recall performance, while greater than 12 years of education was positively associated with delayed recall and savings. Leisure did not emerge as being associated with any of the dimensions of memory assessed. The article concludes that depressive symptoms emerged as associated with immediate recall. This may indicate a need for intervention in cases of subclinical depression with associated memory complaints. The association between education level and both delayed recall and savings provides support for the cognitive reserve hypothesis, and may suggest useful non-pharmacological approaches to memory deficits in later life.
Reminiscence groupwork with older people
- Author:
- GIBSON Faith
- Journal article citation:
- Groupwork, 5(3), 1992, pp.28-40.
- Publisher:
- Whiting and Birch
Summaries the outcomes from a project involving a large number of small time-limited formed reminiscence groups in residential and day care facilities and discusses the implications of the findings for skilled groupwork practice.
Reminiscence groupwork and autobiographical memory as part of meaningful activities
- Authors:
- ALLEN Andrew P., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Groupwork, 30(1), 2021, pp.77-87.
- Publisher:
- Whiting and Birch
The current paper describes a reminiscence group activity session held as part of meaningful activities engagement for older adults. Topics of reminiscence included both autobiographical memories and memories of broader historical events from the past. Participants included those with memory impairment and those without, and participants with healthy memory were helpful in prompting memories in participants with memory impairment. Semantic and episodic autobiographical memory were assessed at baseline and following the end of both group activities, using the Episodic Autobiographical Memory Interview (EAMI) and quality of life was assessed using the Quality of Life AD-scale (QOL-AD). The reminiscence intervention did not significantly affect autobiographical memory recall or quality of life. However, oral reminiscence was reported to have increased outside of the reminiscence sessions. (Edited publisher abstract)
Reminiscence in dementia: a concept analysis
- Authors:
- DEMPSEY Laura, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Dementia: the International Journal of Social Research and Practice, 13(2), 2014, pp.176-192.
- Publisher:
- Sage
This paper is a report of an analysis of the concept of reminiscence in dementia and highlights its uses as a therapeutic intervention used on individuals with dementia. No single definition of reminiscence exists in healthcare literature; however, definitions offered have similar components. The term life review is commonly used when discussing reminiscence; however, both terms are quite different in their goals, theory base and content. This concept analysis identified reminiscence as a process which occurs in stages, involving the recalling of early life events and interaction between individuals. The antecedents of reminiscence are age, life transitions, attention span, ability to recall, ability to vocalise and stressful situations. Reminiscence can lead to positive mental health, enhanced self esteem and improved communication skills. It also facilitates preparation for death, increases interaction between people, prepares for the future and evaluates a past life. Reminiscence therapy is used extensively in dementia care and evidence shows when used effectively it helps individuals retain a sense of self worth, identity and individuality. (Publisher abstract)
Loneliness and cognition in older people: the Dublin Healthy Ageing study
- Authors:
- O'LUANAIGH C., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 16(3), April 2012, pp.347-352.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Several studies have shown that social isolation has a detrimental effect on cognition. However, relatively few have examined the relationship between cognition and loneliness. The aims of this study were to explore the relationship between loneliness and cognition, and to determine whether specific cognitive domains are associated with loneliness. The findings are taken from the Dublin Healthy Ageing Study, a prospective examination of the psychiatric, cognitive, physical and social well-being of community-dwelling elderly in inner-city Dublin. This study included 466 participants with mean age 75.45 years, of which 44% were males. Analyses were done of the relationship between loneliness, social networks, depression, and demographics, and global cognition. The main finding is that loneliness in older people is significantly associated with impaired global cognition independent of social networks and depression. The domains of psychomotor processing speed and delayed visual memory were specifically associated with self-reported loneliness. The mechanism for this association is unclear and warrants further investigation.
Behavioural disturbance triggers recognition of dementia by family informants
- Authors:
- EUSTACE A., et al
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 22(6), June 2007, pp.574-579.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This study aimed to determine the frequency for recognition of dementia by carers in a sample of community dwelling elderly people and the factors associated with recognition. People over 65 years with an AGECAT case or subcase organic diagnosis or an MMSE 23 were identified from a database of community dwelling elderly. A psychiatrist to confirm the diagnosis of dementia according to ICD-10 criteria interviewed these individuals. Sixty-two community dwelling elderly meeting ICD-10 criteria for dementia whom had reliable informants. Prior to the start of the interview the informant was questioned about whether they felt the patient had memory difficulties and if so whether they had a medical evaluation for their memory problems. A psychiatrist then interviewed the patient and informant to establish whether that patient met ICD-10 criteria for dementia. Basic sociodemographic details were collected and the following assessments were carried out: the Blessed Dementia Rating Scale, the Clinical Dementia Rating Scale, the Behave-AD and the Baumgarten Behavioural Disturbance Scale. Univariate and step-wise forward logistic regression analysis were used to examine the factors associated with recognition of memory difficulties. Twenty-nine percent of family informants of people with dementia failed to recognise a problem with their relatives' memory. Where memory difficulties were recognised only 39% of this group received a medical evaluation. Using univariate analysis recognition of memory difficulties by family informants was associated higher levels of behaviour disturbance, greater functional impairment, with increasing cognitive impairment. Using a logistic regression model, to test the independence of these variables, increasing behavioural disturbance was associated with recognition of dementia by family informants. Recognition of memory problems by family members is associated with increasing behavioural disturbance. Even with recognition of dementia, families often fail to seek medical attention. Education of the lay public on the early signs and symptoms of dementia must be a key first step in improving recognition of dementia in the community dwelling elderly.