Assistive Technologies in Dementia Care: An Updated Analysis of the Literature

Objectives: Technology can assist and support both people with dementia (PWD) and caregivers. Recently, technology has begun to embed remote components. Timely with respect to the pandemic, the present work reviews the most recent literature on technology in dementia contexts together with the newest studies about technological support published until October 2020. The final aim is to provide a synthesis of the timeliest evidence upon which clinical and non-clinical decision-makers can rely to make choices about technology in the case of further pandemic waves.Methods: A review of reviews was performed alongside a review of the studies run during the first pandemic wave. PsycInfo, CINAHL, and PubMed-online were the databases inspected for relevant papers published from January 2010.Results: The search identified 420 articles, 30 of which were reviews and nine of which were new studies meeting the inclusion criteria. Studies were first sorted according to the target population, then summarized thematically in a narrative synthesis. The studies targeting technologies for PWD were categorized as follows: monitoring and security purposes, sustaining daily life, and therapeutic interventions. Each category showed potential benefits. Differently, the interventions for caregivers were classified as informative, psycho-education programs, psychosocial-supportive, therapeutic, and cognitive/physical training. Benefits to mental health, skills learning, and social aspects emerged.Conclusions: The evidence shows that technology is well-accepted and can support PWD and caregivers to bypass physical and environmental problems both during regular times and during future pandemic waves. Nevertheless, the lack of a common methodological background is revealed by this analysis. Further and more standardized research is necessary to improve the implementation of technologies in everyday life while respecting the necessary personalization.

An exploration of providing mental health skills in a generic advanced clinical practice programme

Background: advanced clinical practitioners (ACPs) are expected to be competent in their holistic assessment and management of individuals, which includes those with both physical and mental health problems. A mental health component was introduced within a generic advanced practitioner programme to support the development of mental health skills required by advanced clinical practitioners in training (ACPiTs). Aims: this research investigated the efficacy of content specific to mental health within an MSc ACP generic programme. Methods: a single case study approach was adopted, which used a purposive sample of 10 ACPiTs to explore personal beliefs and experiences using semistructured interviews. Verbatim transcription was undertaken followed by content and thematic analysis. Findings: Themes emerged included communication skills, and increased competence and self-awareness. Conclusion: insights provided by the ACPiTs showed they recognised the value of mental health teaching and exposure within their training programme in advancing their knowledge and skillset and, ultimately, increasing confidence in their clinical practice.

Canadian Approach to Integrated Care

This chapter describes the evolution of collaborative mental health care in Canada over the past 15 years, and the ways in which integrated care is becoming an increasingly integral part of Canada’s provincial and territorial healthcare services. It explores the underlying principles and models that can be found across the country. There is a particular emphasis on three things: (1) changes any mental health service can make to improve collaboration, (2) programs to increase the mental health skills and capacity of primary care, and (3) the integration of mental health services within primary care.A program in Hamilton, Ontario, has successfully integrated mental health counselors and psychiatrists into the offices of 170 family physicians across a city of 500,000 people for the past 20 years. The authors present data from the program’s evaluation, as well as key lessons learned and advice for other programs looking to set up similar models.

Curricular Content for Pupils’ Mental Health

<p class="apa">Present-day curricular designs have to take the pupils’ psychological needs in account, thus becoming melodies of mental health and happiness for the next generation. Emphasizing the findings from previous investigations using the research synthesis methodology, the present study has been conducted aiming at achieving some integrative knowledge under the inclusive title of “Mental Health Improvement-based Curricular Content.” Goal-oriented homogeneous sampling method was applied in order to select 100 research papers from Iranian scholars on the subject of pupils’ mental health improvement using accredited databases between 2005 and 2016. Data analysis using open subject coding encompassing three stages, namely open, axial, and selective coding, indicated that a curriculum with contents in two overall categories of mental health literacy (optimism and positive thinking; socialization; monotheistic life; happiness; self-efficacy; self-awareness and self-actualization &amp; …) and mental health skills (emotions management, interpersonal communication, critical thinking, adaptability, tolerance, and finally &amp; ...) has to be designed in order to improve the pupils’ mental health.</p>

People with intellectual disabilities hospitalised by courts in England

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe the characteristics of individuals with intellectual disability in psychiatric hospitals in England who have been referred from the courts following charge or conviction for imprisonable offences. Design/methodology/approach – Further analysis of data from the national census of psychiatric inpatients with intellectual disability or autism. Findings – In total, 31 per cent of psychiatric inpatients with intellectual disability or autism were detained on a court order. In comparison to others they were older but fewer appeared to have severe disabilities. Fewer were hospitalised for mental illness or challenging behaviour, more for personality disorder. Rates in relation to numbers with intellectual disability in the population varied widely between regions of the country. Research limitations/implications – The census was weak on exploring the nature of the risk posed by patients. As with all censuses it is always possible that the day chosen was unusual. Groups of patients characterised by longer stays inevitably appear more prominent. Practical implications – Staff with expertise in the forensic mental health skills of risk assessment and management in the context of intellectual disability will be needed to resettle these patients satisfactorily. Originality/value – The study draws attention to wide variations around the country in rates of use of hospital beds. This applies as much to detention under court orders, including restriction orders, as to informal admission, raising questions about the consistency of court judgements around the country.