International psychogeriatrics
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This paper determines care recipient and caregiver characteristics and caregiving dimensions - associated with depression among caregivers of older adults, using path analysis and assesses whether the identified path model differs between spousal and adult child caregivers. ⋯ The results provide insights into factors associated with depressive symptoms among spousal and adult child caregivers, and help identify targeted interventions for improving caregiver mood.
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Sense of competence in dementia care staff (SCIDS) may be associated with more positive attitudes to dementia among care staff and better outcomes for those being cared for. There is a need for a reliable and valid measure of sense of competence specific to dementia care staff. This study describes the development and evaluation of a measure to assess "sense of competence" in dementia care staff and reports on its psychometric properties. ⋯ The SCIDS scale provides a useful and user-friendly means of measuring sense of competence in care staff. It has been developed using a robust process and has adequate psychometric properties. Further exploration of the construct and the scale's validity is warranted. It may be useful to assess the impact of training and perceived abilities and skills in dementia care.
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Advance care planning (ACP) is an important element of high-quality care in nursing homes, especially for residents having dementia who are often incompetent in decision-making toward the end of life. The aim of this study was describe the prevalence of documented ACP among nursing home residents with dementia in Flanders, Belgium, and associated clinical characteristics and outcomes. ⋯ Whereas GP orders are relatively common among residents with dementia, advance patient directives and a legal representative are relatively uncommon. Nursing home residents receiving palliative care are more likely to have a GP order. GP orders may affect place of death.
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The evidence for the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions in dementia care is growing but the implementation of available evidence is not automatic. Our objective was to develop valid quality indicators (QIs) for psychosocial dementia care that facilitate the implementation process in various countries and settings. ⋯ Our multidisciplinary and multinational strategy resulted in a set of unique QIs that aims exclusively at assessing the quality of psychosocial dementia care. Following implementation, these QIs will assist dementia care professionals to individualize and tailor psychosocial interventions.
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Little is known about the impact of caring experience on the practice of dementia care professionals. Few research studies covering dementia practice ask about personal experiences of providing care or having a family member with dementia. In England and Wales, the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005 provided a new legal framework for planning and decision-making in the event of possible loss of capacity. Professional activities in this area include advice and assistance with arranging proxy decision-making, establishing wishes, and advance decisions. The aim of this paper is to present interview data from dementia care professionals with family experiences of dementia and their reflections on decision-making frameworks. ⋯ Trainers, clinical supervisors, and researchers in dementia care may build upon personal experience of some practitioners to promote empathy with other family carers and the provision of timely information and advice.