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ABSTRACTBackground:Caring for persons with dementia is stressful for family caregivers. Caregiver training programs and respite care can reduce this stress and help maintain persons with dementia living longer in the community. We evaluated a program that combines caregiver training with a residential respite stay.Methods: In total, 90 dyads of persons with dementia and their caregivers, in groups of 3-6 dyads, volunteered to participate in a five-day residential training program and were followed-up 6 and 12 months later. The primary outcome was caregiver depression; secondary outcomes were measures of caregiver burden, unmet needs, person with dementia behavioral symptoms, and the quality of life and function.Results: Caregiver depression and burden were unchanged, despite decreasing function in persons with dementia. Caregivers' unmet needs and behavioral symptoms in persons with dementia decreased significantly. Compared to a group of persons with dementia admitted for routine residential respite care, there was a marked reduction in permanent placement over 12 months.Conclusions: The Going to Stay at Home Program is a feasible and practicable model with benefits for caregivers and persons with dementia. It may lead to delay in institutionalization and may be applicable to other chronic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACTObjective:To study longitudinal changes in the quality of life (QoL) in persons with and without dementia, and explore the factors associated with baseline QoL and changes of QoL over the follow-up period.Design: Prospective longitudinal study.Setting: Data were collected from 17 municipalities in Norway in the period from January 2009 to August 2012. A total of 412 persons were included, 254 (61.7 %) persons without dementia and 158 (38.3 %) with dementia at baseline.Subjects: Persons 70 years of age or older, receiving municipal care services. Main outcome measures include the following: self-rated and proxy-rated QoL over a period of 18 months, cognitive status, functional status, neuropsychiatric symptoms, and demographics.Results: Longitudinal changes in QoL were small, despite changes in clinical variables. Proxy ratings of patients QoL were lower than the patients' own ratings. Belonging to a group with low QoL trajectory was associated with symptoms of depression, reduced physical and instrumental functioning, and more severe dementia.Conclusion: Patients and proxies evaluated the patients' QoL differently and QoL did not necessarily correspond with deterioration in clinical parameters. To prevent impaired QoL, we need to address identified factors and keep an approach open to the individual perceptions of QoL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACTBackground:The "pathway to care" concept offers a helpful framework for preparing national dementia plans and strategies and provides a structure to explore the availability and accessibility of timely and effective care for people with dementia and support for their informal carers. Within the framework of the JPND-MEETINGDEM implementation project the pathways to regular day-care activities and the Meeting Centers Support Programme (MCSP), an innovative combined support form for people with dementia and carers, was explored.Methods: An exploratory, descriptive, qualitative, cross-country design was applied to investigate the pathways to day care in several regions in four European countries (Italy, Poland, United Kingdom, and the Netherlands).Results: Before implementation of MCSP, of the four countries the United Kingdom had the most structured pathway to post-diagnostic support for people with dementia. MCSP introduction had a positive impact on the pathways to day-care activities in all countries. MCSP filled an important gap in post-diagnostic care, increasing the accessibility to support for both people with dementia and carers. Key elements such as program of activities, target group, and collaboration between healthcare and social services were recognized as success factors.Conclusions: This study shows that MCSP fills (part of) the gap between diagnosis and residential care and can therefore be seen as a pillar of post-diagnostic care and support. Further dissemination of Meeting Centers in Europe may have a multiple impact on the structure of dementia services in European countries and the pathways to day care for people with dementia and their carer(s). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACTBackground:There is limited evidence regarding how the decision evolves about whether and when it is best for a person with dementia to move to a care home. The factors leading to the timing of the decision remain particularly unclear. This systematic review of existing literature aims to gain an understanding of the decision-making timing and process to distinguish the drivers of these decisions, and to identify if there is an "optimal" or best time (if any) for a person with dementia to move to a care home.Methods: Six English language electronic databases were searched up to the end of 2016, along with included papers' reference lists. Papers were screened against the inclusion criteria and rated for quality. Extracted data were thematically analyzed.Results: The review identified 16 relevant papers. Seven themes were identified: (1) what happened before the move; (2) planning for the move, (3) weighing up the decision, (4) lack of support, (5) drivers of the decision, (6) emotional significance of the move, and (7) continued reflection on the decision. "Time" of the move was largely absent from much of the literature, although inferences were made. Overall, the decision-making process appeared to be cyclic, with family carers constantly re-evaluating when might be the time to make the move with some continuing to reflect on this even subsequently.Conclusions: Further research is required to understand the "optimal" or best time (if any) for when a person with dementia moves to a care home, and how to determine when someone is ready to move. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACTBackground:Caring for persons with dementia (PWD) can create "caregiver burden," which is associated with negative outcomes for caregivers and PWD. The ZBI (Zarit Burden Interview) is a widely used unitary measure of caregiver burden. However, recent research has found caregiver burden to be multi-dimensional. The purpose of this study was to explore the factor structure of the ZBI within a sample of UK caregivers. A secondary aim was to identify variables that predicted burden dimensions found.Methods: A total of 110 unpaid community caregivers of PWD completed the ZBI. They also completed the EACQ (Experiential Avoidance in Caregiving Questionnaire), DEX (Dysexecutive Questionnaire), PACS (Positive Aspects of Caregiving Scale), and a demographic questionnaire. ZBI data were analyzed via exploratory factor analysis (principal axis factoring). Relationships between burden factors and other variables were studied using Pearson correlations and multiple regression.Results: Analysis identified three burden factors, namely direct impact of caregiving, uncertainty around the future, and frustration/embarrassment. A direct impact of caregiving and frustration/embarrassment has been found previously. Uncertainty over the future is a new factor, which was predicted by adult-child caregiver role, highlighting that spouses and adult children are likely to have different burden experiences. Additionally, uncertainty over the future and frustration/embarrassment were inversely predicted by PACS, suggesting that being mindful of positive aspects of caregiving may function as a protective factor for burden.Conclusions: This study found caregiver burden to be multi-dimensional and uncovered a novel factor in uncertainty over the future, which warrants further exploration. Burden factors were associated with a range of modifiable variables that could be targeted within health and social care interventions to improve outcomes for caregivers and PWD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACTBackground:The care of community-dwelling people with dementia often occurs in the context of pre-existing family relationships. The presence of dementia can result in changes to the quality of those relationships. The purpose of this systematic review is to identify factors that enhance or challenge the quality of spousal or offspring relationships in the context of dementia.Methods: Both qualitative and quantitative studies were included in a systematic review of the literature. Thematic analysis of results was conducted that examined factors related to the relationship quality of community dwelling people with dementia and their spousal or offspring carer. Meta-analysis was not possible due to the heterogeneity of the included studies.Results: Four themes were extracted from seven qualitative studies: connection to the carer role; identity of the people with dementia; current efforts to maintain relationship connection; and the dyads response to dementia. Each of these four themes incorporated positive and negative facets that impacted on relationship quality. An analysis of nine quantitative and one mixed methods studies identified four domains: influence of dementia characteristics; connection within the dyad; relationship response to stress and carer burden; and carer demographic factors.Conclusions: The findings of this review highlight relationship factors that are important for supporting relationship quality for the people with dementia and the carer individually, as well as for the dyad together. These findings extend an existing framework of relationship quality in dementia. Implications for interventions to enhance relationship quality in the dementia context are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To identify the main drivers of the use of respite services and the need for respite services among caregivers of people experiencing dementia relative to family caregivers of people with other health conditions. Method: Based on nationally representative secondary data regression analysis was used to test the association between selected health conditions and the utilisation of and need for respite services. Results: For a person living with dementia the odds of using respite care are higher than for a person with either a musculoskeletal or circulatory condition. Family caregivers of people living with dementia report the odds of the need for more respite as 5.3 times higher than for family caregivers of people with musculoskeletal conditions and 7.7 times higher than for family caregivers of people with circulatory conditions. The main reason for never using respite services is largely driven by the type of health condition, age of care recipient, existence of a spouse, and level of disability. Conclusions: Respite services that cater to the specific needs of families experiencing dementia at home should become a higher priority within the aged care sector. Alternative models of respite care that focus on prevention and early intervention would be cost effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To explore the relationship between cognitive performance and falls in older people with mild to moderate cognitive impairment (CI) by investigating the mediational effects of medical, medication, neuropsychological, and physiological factors.Design: Secondary analysis, prospective cohort study.Setting: Community and low-level care.Participants: 177 older people (aged 82 ± 7 years) with mild to moderate CI (MMSE 11-23; ACE-R < 83).Measurements: Global cognition and six neuropsychological domains (memory, language, visuospatial, processing speed, executive function [EF], and affect) were assessed. Participants also underwent sensorimotor and balance assessments. Falls were recorded prospectively for 12 months.Results: The EF domain was most strongly associated with multiple falls (relative risk [RR]: 1.50, 95% CI: 1.18-1.91). Global cognition was not associated with falls (RR: 1.09, 95% CI: 0.92-1.30). Additional analyses showed that participants with poorer EF (median cutpoint) were more likely to be taking centrally acting medications and were less physically active. They also had significantly worse vision, reaction time, knee extension strength, balance (postural sway, controlled leaning balance), and higher physiological fall risk scores. Participants with poorer EF were 1.5 times (RR: 1.50, 95% CI: 1.03-2.18) more likely to have multiple falls. Mediational analyses demonstrated that reaction time and postural sway reduced the relative risk of EF on multiple falls by 31% (RR: 1.19, 95% CI: 0.81-1.74).Conclusions: Within this sample of older people with mild to moderate CI, poorer EF increased the risk of multiple falls. This relationship was mediated by reaction time and postural sway,suggesting cognitively impaired older people with poorer EF may benefit from fall prevention programs targeting these mediating factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Older people with dementia are at increased risk of physical decline and falls. Balance and mood are significant predictors of falls in this population. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a tailored home-based exercise program in community-dwelling older people with dementia.Methods: Forty-two participants with mild to moderate dementia were recruited from routine health services. All participants were offered a six-month home-based, carer-enhanced, progressive, and individually tailored exercise program. Physical activity, quality of life, physical, and psychological assessments were administered at the beginning and end of the trial.Results: Of 33 participants (78.6%) who completed the six-month reassessment ten (30%) reported falls and six (18%) multiple falls during the follow-up period. At reassessment, participants had better balance (sway on floor and foam), reduced concern about falls, increased planned physical activity, but worse knee extension strength and no change in depression scores. The average adherence to the prescribed exercise sessions was 45% and 22 participants (52%) were still exercising at trial completion. Those who adhered to ≥70% of prescribed sessions had significantly better balance at reassessment compared with those who adhered to <70% of sessions.Conclusions: This trial of a tailored home-based exercise intervention presents preliminary evidence that this intervention can improve balance, concern about falls, and planned physical activity in community-dwelling older people with dementia. Future research should determine whether exercise interventions are effective in reducing falls and elucidate strategies for enhancing uptake and adherence in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Socially constructed disablement has marginalized young people in families where a parent has younger onset dementia (YOD). This has contributed to inadequate societal support for their complex situation. Impacts on such young people include significant involvement with mental health services for themselves. In this paper, we explored the young people's lived experiences in these families and the influencing factors to enable these young people to be included and supported within their community.Methods: In this qualitative research study, the social model of disability was used as the theoretical framework in conducting a thematic analysis of interviews with 12 participants.Results: Three themes emerged; invisibility highlighting the issues of marginalization; connectivity foregrounding the engagement of young people with family, friends and their social networks, and being empowered through claiming their basic human right to receive the age appropriate support they needed.Conclusion: The current plight of young people living with a parent with YOD demands a fundamental shift by society in developing inclusive cross-sectorial cooperation linking service providers across youth and dementia sectors. This requires working in partnership with the service users responding to the identified needs of individual family members. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rehabilitation of people with frailty takes time,5 and hospitals are under pressure to reduce patients' stays in hospital (the median rehabilitation length of stay reported by Soh and his co-authors was 20 days1). Key priorities are to build the capacity and competence of primary health services to provide general rehabilitation services to older people, and to improve networking of and collaboration between primary care and specialist rehabilitation units. Some health services have worked through these intersectoral problems and have articulated a model that could be implemented broadly in Australia.11 Australia urgently needs a national rehabilitation strategy to reduce overreliance on hospital services for functional recovery and rehabilitation treatments. [Extracted from the article]