Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Thilanka Jagoda, Sarath Rathnayake, Samath Dharmaratne
Summary: This integrative review aims to synthesize, appraise, and analyze evidence on informal carers' information needs, features and functions of available mHealth applications, and informal carers' usability and engagement with mHealth applications for managing behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. The study will include quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods studies, and will follow PRISMA guidelines. The findings may inform the planning of interventions for carers of people with dementia.
Article
Nursing
Deirdre Fetherstonhaugh, Jo-Anne Rayner, Kane Solly, Linda McAuliffe
Summary: This study aims to identify features of well-performing residential aged care services as experienced by family carers, highlighting the importance of organizational accountability, good communication, connection, and trust. Family carers need to feel confident and trust RACS staff when they hand over the role of carer for their relative with dementia. Strategies to build confidence and trust between RACS and family carers are essential, with aged care nurses playing a key role in supporting this through open communication and relational connections with residents and their families.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NURSING
(2021)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Esther Sperlich, Tim Fleiner, Wiebren Zijlstra, Peter Haussermann, Tobias Morat
Summary: The study implemented a diagnostic process for sarcopenia in a geriatric psychiatry hospital, finding high estimated prevalence rates and highlighting the need for early and comprehensive screening for sarcopenia in geriatric psychiatry.
JOURNAL OF CACHEXIA SARCOPENIA AND MUSCLE
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Stephanie Daley, Nazire Akarsu, Elise Armsby, Nicolas Farina, Yvonne Feeney, Bethany Fine, Laura Hughes, Joanna Pooley, Naji Tabet, Georgia Towson, Sube Banerjee
Summary: This study aimed to understand the impact of COVID-19 on the quality of life of people with dementia and their family carers. Through in-depth qualitative interviews, the study found that COVID-19 had short-term effects on social interaction, support, cognitive and physical health of dementia patients, carer well-being, understanding of COVID-19 restrictions, limited impact for some individuals, and trust in and relationship with care homes. These impacts did not significantly change between different lockdown periods.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Julie M. Marchant, Anne L. Cook, Jack Roberts, Stephanie T. Yerkovich, Vikas Goyal, Daniel Arnold, Hannah E. O'Farrell, Anne B. Chang
Summary: This study investigated the experiences of parents of children with bronchiectasis, revealing impaired quality of life and a high burden, emphasizing the need for improved education to enhance knowledge and awareness.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Thilanka Jagoda, Samath Dharmaratne, Sarath Rathnayake
Summary: This systematic integrative review aims to examine informal carers' information needs in managing behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) and related mobile health (mHealth) applications. The results indicate that informal carers face challenges in managing BPSD due to a lack of knowledge. Support systems play a significant role in managing BPSD in the community, and mHealth interventions for BPSD management are limited.
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Oriol Turro-Garriga, Vanesa Vinas-Diez, Lluis Zacarias-Pons, Josep-Lluis Conde-Sala, Josep Garre-Olmo
Summary: This study reports evidence of the effect of sense of coherence (SOC) on burden reports in relatives of persons with dementia. The findings suggest that caregivers with higher SOC experience lower burden levels throughout the follow-up, whereas those with lower SOC report greater burden at each visit.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Afia Ali, Elisa Aguirre, Joanna Carter, Sarah Hoare, Kate Brackley, Nia Goulden, Zoe Hoare, Caroline S. Clarke, Georgina Charlesworth, Danny Acton, Aimee Spector
Summary: Researchers are conducting a mixed-methods feasibility trial to investigate the use of cognitive stimulation therapy for people with intellectual disabilities and dementia. The trial aims to determine if a future definitive randomized controlled trial is feasible. The study will assess recruitment feasibility, acceptability and adherence of the intervention, suitability of study outcome measures, and feasibility of collecting resource use data.
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Cheng Shi, Shuangzhou Chen, Maximilian Salcher-Konrad, Jacky C. P. Choy, Hao Luo, Dara Kiu Yi Leung, Xinxin Cai, Yue Zeng, Ruizhi Dai, Adelina Comas-Herrera, David McDaid, Martin Knapp, Gloria Wong
Summary: This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to evaluate interventions for people living with dementia and their carers in Chinese communities worldwide, and compare the effectiveness of these interventions. Using a randomised controlled trial design, studies published between January 2008 and June 2020 will be included. The findings will support the development of studies on interventions for dementia and inform dementia policymaking and practice in a timely manner.
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Vimal Sriram, Crispin Jenkinson, Michele Peters
Summary: This study examines the experiences and impact of Assistive Technology (AT) on carers of persons with dementia. The survey results show that smartphones and tablet computers are the most frequently used AT, primarily for safety, communication, and reminders. The study also finds that AT has a positive impact on the physical, mental, and social well-being of carers, and strengthens caring relationships.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Miroslava Tokovska, Jana Solcova
Summary: This study investigated the burden of next-of-kin carers for dementia sufferers in Slovakia and found a high level of caregiving stress. The results highlight the need for coordination of healthcare and social services, as well as the importance of providing social support and national educational programs for next-of-kin carers.
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Vimal Sriram, Crispin Jenkinson, Michele Peters
Summary: The study found that carers generally perceived assistive technology as beneficial, often using multiple devices and recommending them to others. Establishing centrally funded information sources and a loan store for assistive technology to support carers is recommended. Further research on the incremental addition of assistive technology and its impact on formal/paid care is needed.
Review
Neurosciences
Jennifer Young Tu, Grace Jin, Jen-Hau Chen, Yen-Ching Chen
Summary: The study aims to recommend valid, reliable, and comprehensive self-report instruments for assessing caregiver burden. Through a systematic review, 40 high-quality articles were selected, and several self-report instruments were recommended based on their validity, reliability, and inclusiveness.
JOURNAL OF ALZHEIMERS DISEASE
(2022)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Deena Goldwater, Nanette K. Wenger
Summary: Geriatric cardiology aims to provide cardiovascular care for older adults in relation to the challenges of aging. It focuses on patient-centered care that aligns treatment with individual health and life goals, while proactively addressing aging-related risks. This shift from disease-based management to goal-directed care is crucial for promoting wellness and a favorable quality of life in the older adult population.
TRENDS IN CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Niels Hansen, Aaron Levin Juhl, Insa Maria Grenzer, Kristin Rentzsch, Jens Wiltfang, Dirk Fitzner
Summary: This study investigated neural autoantibodies in a mixed cohort of psychiatric patients and found that they were mainly detected in patients with neurocognitive and mood disorders. However, there were no significant differences in psychiatric symptoms and laboratory results between patients with and without neural autoantibodies.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
