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dementia and cognitive disorders

The Specialized Early Care for Alzheimer’s method of caring for people with dementia: an investigation of what works and how

Background and rationale SPECAL is a model of care for people with dementia based on a novel conceptualisation of memory and how this changes in dementia. Carers adapt their communication style to prevent distress and promote well‐being for the person with dementia. However, there is limited scientific evidence on the effectiveness of SPECAL. Aim This study explored mechanisms of SPECAL through a qualitative enquiry with family carers.

Wed, 01/13/2021 - 14:22

An integrative group movement program for people with dementia and care partners together (Paired PLIÉ): initial process evaluation

Objectives: To understand feedback from participants in Paired PLIÉ (Preventing Loss of Independence through Exercise), a novel, integrative group movement program for people with dementia and their care partners, in order to refine the intervention and study procedures. Method: Data sources included daily logs from the first Paired PLIÉ RCT group, final reflections from the second Paired PLIÉ RCT group, and responses to requests for feedback and letters of support from Paired PLIÉ community class participants. All data are reports from care partners.

Fri, 12/11/2020 - 13:12

FAMILIES: an effective healthcare intervention for caregivers of community dwelling people living with dementia

Objectives: Caregiving for a person with dementia (PWD) carries increased risk of poorer health and quality of life. Non-pharmacological interventions improve outcomes for caregivers of PWDs. We evaluated the efficacy of a modified New York University Caregiver Intervention (NYUCI), named FAMILIES, delivered to spousal and non-spousal caregivers of PWDs from diverse etiologies in a reduced number of sessions. Methods: Participants were 122 primary caregivers for community dwelling PWDs in Virginia.

Mon, 11/30/2020 - 18:07

Caregiver preparedness for death in dementia: an evaluation of existing tools

Objectives: Death preparedness amongst family caregivers (CG) is a valuable and measurable concept. Preparedness predicts CG outcomes in bereavement and is modifiable through a palliative approach which includes advance care planning (ACP) interventions. Improving death preparedness is important for CGs of persons with dementia (PwD) whom are more likely to develop negative outcomes in bereavement, and experience less than adequate palliative care.

Mon, 11/23/2020 - 12:24

Impact of COVID-19 related social support service closures on people with dementia and unpaid carers: a qualitative study

Objectives Accessing social care and social support services is key to support the well-being of people living with dementia (PLWD) and unpaid carers. COVID-19 has caused sudden closures or radical modifications of these services, and is resulting in prolonged self-isolation. The aim of this study was to explore the effects of COVID-19 related social care and support service changes and closures on the lives of PLWD and unpaid carers. Method PLWD and unpaid carers were interviewed via telephone in April 2020.

Wed, 09/23/2020 - 15:48

Dementia caregivers’ coping with pre-death grief: effects of a CBT-based intervention

Objectives: Pre-death grief plays a significant role in dementia caregiving, and has adverse impacts on caregivers. It was the purpose of the present study to examine whether a cognitive-behavioural intervention including a grief intervention module could increase caregivers’ coping with pre-death grief and whether these effects could be maintained as of a six-month follow-up assessment.

Wed, 05/01/2019 - 12:50