International journal of geriatric psychiatry
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Int J Geriatr Psychiatry · Jan 2008
Subjective cognitive complaints, neuropsychological performance, affective and behavioural symptoms in non-demented patients.
Subjective cognitive complaints (SCC) have been previously investigated to establish whether they are risk factors for dementia, but no clear-cut conclusions have emerged. In this study non-demented patients with SCC were studied and the neuropsychological findings, affective and behavioural aspects and parameters with the highest correct classifications in discriminating patients who had only SCC but no objective clinical and neuropsychological impairment, i.e. no cognitive impairment (NCI) patients and those with objective neuropsychological deficits, namely patients with mild cognitive (MCI) were analyzed. ⋯ An objective cognitive impairment, reaching the criteria for a MCI diagnosis, was present in almost half of patients having SCC. MCI patients have more behavioural disturbances than NCI subjects. SCC should not be underestimated and appropriate neuropsychological assessment is required to reassure subjects with normal results and to identify patients with MCI.
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Int J Geriatr Psychiatry · Jan 2008
An evaluation of a specialist multiagency home support service for older people with dementia using qualitative methods.
Standard home care support for people with dementia has been criticised in statutory inspection reports, and may lead to unnecessary crises, hospital or care home admissions. ⋯ This study provides evidence of the benefits of a specialist multiagency home support service over standard home care, in the opinion of service users, carers and careworkers, and defines the operational model that achieves this. Findings confirm best practice recommendations, based on models of dementia care which emphasise respect for 'personhood'.