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Dementia

Determinants of burden in those who care for someone with dementia

Objectives: Caregiver burden is a key measure in caregiver research and is frequently used as a baseline measure in intervention studies. Previous research has found numerous factors associated with caregiver burden such as the relationship quality between carer and patient, the patient's cognitive ability, behavioural and psychological symptoms displayed by the patient, caregiver gender, adverse life events to name a few. Many studies have investigated these factors singularly however current thought suggests a multi-factorial role and inter-dependence of these factors.

Thu, 07/20/2017 - 15:18

Support to family carers of patients with frontotemporal dementia

OBJECTIVES: To examine the provision of support to patients with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and their family carers compared with patients with early onset Alzheimer's dementia (AD) and their carers, and the carers' satisfaction with the support. METHOD: Data came from 60 dyads of patients with dementia and their principal family carers, 23 subjects with frontotemporal dementia and their 23 carers, and 37 subjects with early onset Alzheimer's disease and their 37 carers. RESULTS: Patients with a frontotemporal dementia diagnosis were significantly more frequently offered stays in nursing

Thu, 07/20/2017 - 15:18

GPS technologies in managing the risks associated with safer walking in people with dementia - a practical perspective

Many people with a cognitive impairment are likely to become lost at some stage of their illness; this can cause great distress to individuals and to their relatives. GPS location equipment has become available recently and has been trialled with a number of families. Although the technology itself is not complicated, it introduces a number of problems including battery management, device selection and returning the individual when they have become lost. A process has been developed to simplify these problems. When it is followed, the outcomes have been positive for all stakeholders.

Thu, 07/20/2017 - 15:18

Family ties

After reading a continuing professional development article on dementia, Susan Briggs reflected on how she deals with clients' relatives. I read this article with interest and subsequently undertook my own research, which I used to reflect on a recent experience. The following is a short excerpt from my reflection.

Thu, 07/20/2017 - 15:18

Stress, distress and mucosal immunity in carers of a partner with fronto-temporal dementia

Objectives: This study investigates the psychological and physiological impact of caring for a partner with fronto-temporal dementia (FTD). Carers were expected to exhibit greater stress and poorer psychological well-being in comparison with non-carers, and suppressed mucosal immunity.

Thu, 07/20/2017 - 15:18

A systematic review of the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions for carers of people with dementia

Historically, there have been many attempts to develop interventions to support the carers of people with dementia. To date the evidence of effectiveness has been limited. However, the success of psychosocial interventions for carers of people with schizophrenia has suggested the possibility of utilizing this approach. A systematic review was undertaken to assess the evidence of effectiveness for psychosocial interventions with carers of people with dementia. Thirty controlled trials that evaluated a psychosocial approach were identified.

Thu, 07/20/2017 - 15:18

Meaningful involvement: carers as students

Penny Hibberd introduces an innovative idea for involving carers in higher education, and carers Caryn and Ted Bird explain how they have benefited from the approach 

Thu, 07/20/2017 - 15:18

Chatter matters: advice on communication for carers

Colin Barnes describes how he sets about offering communication advice to family carers of people with dementia, and the materials he has developed to help carers understand the reasons for common difficulties and strategies for more successful communication

Thu, 07/20/2017 - 15:18

Exploring coping strategies of carers looking after people with intellectual disabilities and dementia

Purpose – Carers play a vital role in looking after people with intellectual disabilities (ID). Caring role can be stressful and challenging in nature. Carers use various coping strategies to deal with stressors. The purpose of this paper is to explore coping strategies of carers looking after people with ID and dementia.

Thu, 07/20/2017 - 15:18

Screening for elder abuse in dementia in the LASER-AD study: prevalence, correlates and validation of instruments

Background: Several studies have investigated abusive behaviour by carers towards people with dementia, most using unvalidated scales; only two reported correlates of abuse after controlling for mediators and confounders, and these controlled for different factors.

Objective: To investigate the acceptability and validity of the Modified Conflict Tactics Scale (MCTS) and abuse correlates.

Thu, 07/20/2017 - 15:17

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