American journal of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias
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Am J Alzheimers Dis Other Demen · Aug 2008
Multicenter StudyMeaning and practice of palliative care for nursing home residents with dementia at end of life.
To describe the meaning and practice of palliative care (PC) for nursing home (NH) residents with dementia at end of life (EOL). ⋯ The role of PC for NH residents with dementia at EOL is complex and poorly understood. As they are in a residential setting, decisions need to be made about how residents live, as well as how they die, thus balancing quality of living/comfort with disease management.
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Am J Alzheimers Dis Other Demen · Aug 2008
Neuropsychiatric impairments as predictors of mild cognitive impairment, dementia, and Alzheimer's disease.
In this study, the relations between cognitive status and neuropsychiatric impairments in nondemented older adults in cross section and over time is examined. Using data from the Canadian Study of Health and Aging (CSHA), a longitudinal, nation-wide study in which data were collected 3 times (ie, CSHA-1, CSHA-2, CSHA-3) at 5-year intervals, individuals were classified with (n = 240) and without (n = 386) cognitive impairment at CSHA-2. ⋯ After controlling for initial cognitive status, loss of interest and depression contributed significantly to the prediction of mild cognitive impairment, dementia, and Alzheimer's disease over time. These findings suggest that these neuropsychiatric impairments play significant roles throughout the course of cognitive decline and should be taken into consideration even before cognitive impairment is evident.
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Am J Alzheimers Dis Other Demen · Jun 2008
The Mahoney Pain Scale: examining pain and agitation in advanced dementia.
Pain and distress are widespread for people with dementia. However, effective pain management is limited by the quality of assessment tools. In this study, the development and trial of the Mahoney Pain Scale, which aims to assess pain in advanced dementia and distinguish it from agitation is described. ⋯ Participants also differed with respect to their pattern of scores, and consequently, the Mahoney Pain Scale differentiated pain states from non-pain ones. The clinical impressions of nurses who trialed the tool were favorable; they reported that it seemed accurate and easy to use. Thus, the Mahoney Pain Scale may be useful for assessing pain in dementia.
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Am J Alzheimers Dis Other Demen · Feb 2008
Nursing home characteristics related to medicare costs for residents with and without dementia.
To evaluate the relationship of nursing home characteristics to Medicare costs overall and by dementia status. ⋯ In terms of dementia status, resident characteristics drive Medicare costs, as opposed to facility characteristics. Using alternative residential settings for individuals with dementia may increase Medicare costs of nursing home residents and Medicare costs of residents with dementia who are cared for in settings less able to attend to medical needs.
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Am J Alzheimers Dis Other Demen · Oct 2007
How do officially organized services meet the needs of elderly caregivers and their spouses with Alzheimer's disease?
The caregiving situation among caregivers and their spouses with Alzheimer's disease, the support and services received, the unmet needs, and the caregivers' satisfaction with the services are examined. The study included a survey of a random sample of 1943 caregivers of persons with Alzheimer's disease in Finland. Mean age of the caregivers was 78.2 years, and 35% had poor subjective health. ⋯ Most often needed services were physiotherapy for the spouse with dementia (56%), financial support (50%), house-cleaning (41%), and home respite (40%). Only 39% of the caregivers were satisfied with the services, and 69% felt they did not have any influence on what services were offered. It was concluded that official services poorly meet the needs of these caregivers.