Health care

This article focuses on cognitive impairment and dementia in the context of transnational migration. Based on data from focus group discussions and interviews, we conclude that to adjust to the needs of care within ethnic-minority communities, it is important to consider not only the availability of household and kin members but also the present understanding of obligation and reciprocity underlying the perception of care.

Background: In the UK, there are currently 800 000 people living with dementia. This number is expected to double in the next 20 years. Two-thirds of people with dementia live in the community supported by informal carers. Caring for a person with dementia has adverse effects on psychological, physical, social wellbeing and quality of life. The measurement of quality of life of carers of people with dementia is increasingly of interest to health and social care practitioners and commissioners, policymakers, and carers themselves.

Objectives: Demographic change has led to an increase of older people in need of long-term care in nearly all European countries. Informal carers primarily provide the care and support needed by dependent people. The supply and willingness of individuals to act as carers are critical to sustain informal care resources as part of the home health care provision. This paper describes a longitudinal study of informal care in six European countries and reports analyses that determine those factors predicting the outcomes of family care over a one-year period.

The study aim was to gain a better understanding of the characteristics of informal caregivers who provide transportation assistance and to explore the types and frequency of this assistance. A telephone survey was administered to a representative sample of 268 informal caregivers (age 45–80) who provide transportation assistance to older adults (age 70 and older) in Michigan. Responses were analyzed overall and by the caregiver sex and care recipient age.

The Adult Carer Quality of Life questionnaire (AC-QoL) is a reliable and valid instrument used to assess the quality of life (QoL) of adult family caregivers. We explored the psychometric properties and tested the reliability and validity of a Chinese version of the AC-QoL with reliability and validity testing in 409 Chinese stroke caregivers. We used item-total correlation and extreme group comparison to do item analysis.

Background: Cognitive stimulation therapy (CST) is a well-established group psychosocial intervention for people with dementia. There is evidence that home-based programmes of cognitive stimulation delivered by family caregivers may benefit both the person and the caregiver. However, no previous studies have evaluated caregiver-delivered CST.

A qualitative interview study was undertaken to determine the information and support needs of carers of adults who have Down's syndrome and dementia. The data were analysed thematically. Carers' information and support needs were seen to change at pre-diagnosis, diagnosis and post-diagnosis. Helping carers to manage the changing nature of the adult with dementia is seen to be an essential part of the health professional's role.

Much of the 150million earmarked by the government to help carers never reached them. Where PCTs did pass on funds it has made a crucial difference. The author reports. [Journal abstract]

We report findings on patients with stroke and carers experiences of the healthcare system in Scotland after stroke. These findings emerged from data collected in a primary qualitative study exploring patients with stroke and carers perception of a Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) Clinic. Rich data emerged in relation to healthcare after stroke as experienced by both patients and carers, highlighting important clinically relevant messages and constituting an important area for dissemination. Thirteen patients with stroke and nine carers consented to participate.

This article outlines the benefits and challenges associated with health promotion for people with dementia and their carers. It then provides an overview of the Manchester Supporting Health Dementia Programme (MSHDP) pilot, which ran from November 2009 to March 2012. The programme provided a health check service and also aimed to improve the availability of access to health improvement opportunities. A summary of the main outcomes from the independent evaluation are provided.