scholarly journals CHROME Criteria and Quality of Life: A Pilot Study from Maria Wolff-Albertia

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Ruben Muñiz ◽  
Jorge López-Álvarez ◽  
Luis Perea ◽  
Sofía Rivera ◽  
Liliana González ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Psychological Symptoms ◽  
Neuropsychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Inappropriate Prescribing ◽  
Substantial Reduction ◽  
Psychotropic Medications ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
People With Dementia

Background: Over- and potentially inappropriate prescribing of psychotropic medications is a major public health concern among people with dementia. Objective: Describe the CHemical Restraints avOidance MEthodology (CHROME) criteria and evaluate its effects on psychotropic prescribing and quality of life (QoL). Methods: Observational, prospective, two-wave study conducted in two nursing homes. A multicomponent program to eliminate chemical restraints and attain quality prescription of psychotropic medications was implemented. CHROME’s diagnostic criteria comprise constellations of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia under six primary syndromic diagnoses. Since pharmacologic treatment is aimed at only one syndrome, polypharmacy is avoided. Psychotropic prescription, QoL, neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS), and other clinical measurements were collected before and one year after the intervention. Results are presented for all residents (n = 171) and for completer subjects (n = 115). Results: Mean age (SD) of the residents was 87.8 (5.7), 78.9% were women, and 68.5% suffered advanced dementia. Psychotropic prescriptions decreased from 1.9 (1.1) to 0.9 (1.0) (p <  0.0005). Substantive reduction in prescribing frequency was observed for antidepressants (76.9% pre-intervention, 33.8% post-intervention) and for atypical neuroleptics (38.8% pre-intervention, 15.1% post-intervention). There was improvement in patient’s response to surroundings (p <  0.0005) and total NPS (p <  0.01), but small worsening occurred in social interaction (p <  0.02, completer subjects). Safety measurements remained stable. Conclusion: CHROME criteria appear to optimize psychotropic prescriptions, avoid chemical restraints, and allow external verification of quality prescriptions. Extensive use seems feasible, related to substantial reduction of prescriptions, and of benefit for people with dementia as de-prescriptions are not associated to increased NPS or QoL loss.

scholarly journals Non-Pharmacologic Interventions for Caregivers of People With Dementia in Latin America: A Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 275-276
Author(s):  
Jose Aravena ◽  
Jean Gajardo ◽  
Laura Gitlin
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Latin America ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Latin American ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Social Inequalities ◽  
Neuropsychiatric Symptoms ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Person With Dementia

Abstract In a scenario of increasing longevity and social inequalities, Latin-America is an important contributor to the worldwide dementia burden. Caregivers’ health is fundamental to maintain the person with dementia quality of life. However, caregiving is a culturally sensible role that requires tailored solutions. The aim is to synthesize the evidence about non-pharmacologic interventions targeted to caregivers of people with dementia in Latin-American contexts. A comprehensive review of interventions in caregivers and persons with dementia in Latin-American countries was conducted using MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, and Scopus with studies published until January 27th, 2020. Randomized clinical trials of non-pharmacologic interventions targeted to caregivers of people with dementia or dyads where included. Qualitative synthesis of the evidence was presented and analyzed. Overall, 9 pilot RCT were included for the final analysis (6 Brazil, 1 Colombia, 1 Mexico, 1 Perú). The biggest study recruited 69 caregivers and the smallest 13 dyads, with follow-up range of 3-6 months. 5 control groups received at least some other non-standard care type of intervention. 8 were targeted exclusively to caregivers (4 group intervention, 3 individual, and 1 combined) and 1 multicomponent intervention. Most frequent measured outcomes were caregiver’s burden, anxiety, depressive symptoms, and quality of life, and person with dementia neuropsychiatric symptoms. Individual interventions report better results in caregiver parameters such as burden and depressive symptoms and person with dementia neuropsychiatric symptoms. Group interventions presented mixed results. Nevertheless, the quality of evidence was low. There is a critical need to study interventions for caregivers in Latin-American contexts.

Behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia

2020 ◽  
pp. 247-258
Author(s):  
Rianne van der Linde ◽  
Tom Dening
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Psychological Symptoms ◽  
Symptom Clusters ◽  
Psychotic Symptoms ◽  
Mixed Group ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Affective Symptoms ◽  
Behavioural And Psychological Symptoms

The term: ‘behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia’ (BPSD) refers to a mixed group of phenomena. BPSD are the non-cognitive features of dementia and include depression, anxiety, psychotic symptoms, apathy, irritability, aggression, and sleep and eating problems. They occur in around 80% of people with dementia at some stage, several of them becoming more frequent as dementia progresses. Some BPSD, notably apathy, are very persistent. BPSD often limit the person’s quality of life and can be stressful for carers. Causes of BPSD include biological, psychological, social, and environmental factors. This chapter explores how they are assessed and measured, and how they may usefully grouped together in symptom clusters. Usually four symptom groups are found: affective symptoms, psychosis, hyperactivity, and euphoria. However, these are not always consistent and in particular apathy does not consistently belong in one group. Approaches to management of BPSD are outlined.

scholarly journals Use of parametric speaker for older people with dementia in a residential care setting: A preliminary study of two cases

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 30-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuko Nishiura ◽  
Minoru Hoshiyama ◽  
Yoko Konagaya
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Older People ◽  
Psychological Symptoms ◽  
Personal Space ◽  
Acoustic Environment ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Behavioural And Psychological Symptoms ◽  
Technological Intervention ◽  
Narrow Space

Objective/Background Older people with dementia often show behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia such as agitation, aggression, and depression that affect their activities of daily living, and hence reduce the quality of life of their caregivers. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a new technological intervention—a parametric speaker, creating a narrow personal acoustic environment, which may reduce the manifestation of behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia symptoms. Methods A parametric speaker was placed on the ceiling of a large day room, and personally selected pieces of music were provided in a narrow space just under the speaker during the intervention. Two older residents with behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia participated in the experiment. Results Playing pieces of favorite music via the parametric speaker decreased their behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia during the intervention. In addition, this intervention reduced the burden on caregivers. One of the advantages of using parametric speaker was being able to create a personal space in a common room. Conclusion We considered that the parametric speaker might be useful to reduce behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia and the burden on caregivers, providing individualized rehabilitation for the improved quality of life of residents.

scholarly journals An evaluation of community-based cognitive stimulation therapy: a pilot study with an Irish population of people with dementia

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 157-167 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. E. Kelly ◽  
S. Finan ◽  
M. Lawless ◽  
N. Scully ◽  
J. Fitzpatrick ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Cognitive Stimulation ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Community Based ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Moderate Dementia ◽  
Subjective Cognitive Function

ObjectivesResearch shows that cognitive stimulation therapy (CST) improves cognitive function, quality of life, and well-being of people with mild–moderate dementia. Despite consistent evidence and recommendations, CST is not routinely available in Ireland post-diagnosis. The aim of the current research was to develop and evaluate community-based CST for people with mild–moderate dementia, run by the Alzheimer Society of Ireland across four pilot sites in Ireland.MethodsParticipants with mild–moderate dementia attended once weekly CST sessions for 14 weeks. Baseline and post-intervention assessments were completed by CST participants, carers, and CST facilitators. Primary outcomes of interest for CST participants included quality of life (Quality of Life in Alzheimer Disease Scale), cognitive function (Montreal Cognitive Assessment), and subjective cognitive function (Memory Awareness Rating Scale-Functioning Subscale). Secondary outcomes included well-being, cognitive ability, satisfaction with cognitive performance, and engagement and confidence of CST participants; well-being of carers; and job satisfaction of facilitators. Post-intervention interviews supplemented quantitative analyses.ResultsIn total, 20 CST participants, 17 carers, and six CST facilitators completed evaluation assessments. Results showed that CST improved participants’ satisfaction with cognitive performance (p=0.002), level of engagement (p=0.046), level of confidence (p=0.026). Improvements on subjective cognitive function just fell short of significance (p=0.055). Qualitative analysis of interview data identified consistent themes of cognitive and overall benefits of CST; and provided support for quantitative data.ConclusionsCommunity-based CST positively impacted the lives of people with dementia and their families. This study supports prior recommendations that CST should be made routinely available to people with mild–moderate dementia, particularly in light of the lack of post-diagnostic interventions currently offered in Ireland.

scholarly journals Comparing proxy rated quality of life of people living with dementia in care homes

2019 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 86-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Robertson ◽  
C. Cooper ◽  
J. Hoe ◽  
K. Lord ◽  
P. Rapaport ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Neuropsychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Care Home ◽  
Multilevel Modelling ◽  
Native English Speakers ◽  
Care Homes ◽  
English Speakers ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Home Placement

AbstractBackgroundImproving quality of life (QOL) for people with dementia is a priority. In care homes, we often rely on proxy ratings from staff and family but we do not know if, or how, they differ in care homes.MethodsWe compared 1056 pairs of staff and family DEMQOL-Proxy ratings from 86 care homes across England. We explored factors associated with ratings quantitatively using multilevel modelling and, qualitatively, through thematic analysis of 12 staff and 12 relative interviews.ResultsStaff and family ratings were weakly correlated (ρs = 0.35). Median staff scores were higher than family's (104 v. 101; p < 0.001). Family were more likely than staff to rate resident QOL as ‘Poor’ (χ2 = 55.91, p < 0.001). Staff and family rated QOL higher when residents had fewer neuropsychiatric symptoms and severe dementia. Staff rated QOL higher in homes with lower staff:resident ratios and when staff were native English speakers. Family rated QOL higher when the resident had spent longer living in the care home and was a native English. Spouses rated residents’ QOL higher than other relatives. Qualitative results suggest differences arise because staff felt good care provided high QOL but families compared the present to the past. Family judgements centre on loss and are complicated by decisions about care home placement and their understandings of dementia.ConclusionProxy reports differ systematically between staff and family. Reports are influenced by the rater:staff and family may conceptualise QOL differently.

Quality of Life for People With Dementia Living in Residential and Nursing Home Care: The Impact of Performance on Activities of Daily Living, Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms, Language Skills, and Psychotropic Drugs

2001 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clive Ballard ◽  
John O'Brien ◽  
Ian James ◽  
Pat Mynt ◽  
Marisa Lana ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Activities Of Daily Living ◽  
Psychotropic Drugs ◽  
Daily Living ◽  
Psychological Symptoms ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Nursing Home Care ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
The Impact

Many people with dementia reside in care facilities. Little is known about how key parameters impact upon their quality of life (QOL). All 209 people with dementia in six facilities received a standardized assessment (Neuropsychiatric Inventory [NPI], Barthel Scale, psychotropic drugs). One hundred twelve residents were assessed using Dementia Care Mapping, an observational method for QOL indices. Lower performance on activities of daily living (reduced well-being [WB] r = +0.39, p < .0001; social withdrawal [SW] r = +0.42, p < .0001; engagement in activities [EA] r = +0.31, p = .001) and taking psychotropics (WB 2.5 vs. 3.2, t = .2.3, p = .02; SW 11.4% vs. 2.7%, t = 3.0, p = .004; EA 56.5% vs. 71.9%; t = 3.5, p = .001) were associated with reduced QOL, but symptoms from the NPI were not. More focused prescribing of psychotropics and better staff training are essential.

The impact of antipsychotics and neuropsychiatric symptoms on the quality of life of people with dementia living in nursing homes

2012 ◽  
Vol 28 (5) ◽  
pp. 530-538 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia van de Ven-Vakhteeva ◽  
Hans Bor ◽  
Roland B. Wetzels ◽  
Raymond T. C. M. Koopmans ◽  
Sytse U. Zuidema
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Nursing Homes ◽  
Neuropsychiatric Symptoms ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
The Impact

scholarly journals ‘I just want to get on with my life’: a mixed-methods study of active management of quality of life in living with dementia

2016 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 378-402 ◽  
Author(s):  
CHARLOTTE L. CLARKE ◽  
SARAH E. KEYES ◽  
HEATHER WILKINSON ◽  
E. JOANNA ALEXJUK ◽  
JANE WILCOCKSON ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Active Management ◽  
Support Network ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Care Partners ◽  
Outcome Monitoring

ABSTRACTThe active management of the experience of living with dementia appears to improve quality of life despite the lack of disease modification. However, research to date has been largely of modest scale and explanatory factors for improvements have been under-conceptualised. Thus, although promulgated through national strategies, the evidence base is relatively weak. This paper reports on a nation-wide study of the influence of the National Dementia Strategy for England in relation to Dementia Adviser and Peer Support Network services in 40 demonstration sites. The research aimed to identify ways in which the services contribute to the wellbeing and resilience of people with dementia and care partners. A mixed-methods research design collected data through: activity and outcome monitoring; organisational surveys; in-depth case studies, including qualitative interviews with people with dementia (N = 47) and care partners (N = 54), wellbeing and quality of life measures, and interviews with staff and other stakeholders (N = 82). Three themes are explored: addressing individual and community needs; promoting independence, control and choice; and getting a life back. Services promoted independence, control and choice, and consequently enabled people to re-narrate their lives as purposeful within their communities. Ways in which these are achieved resemble the public health model of lay health advisor and this research adds to the imperative to approach dementia as a key public health concern.

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