Dementis

BACKGROUND: In order to cognitively and physically activate people with dementia (MMD) in institutional settings, there are numerous touch-based multimedia applications specifically designed for this target group that are actually being used in practice. In contrast, the use of similar applications in domestic settings has been relatively limited. AIM AND METHOD: This study is based on 11 expert interviews guided by questions and examines design options and requirements for application content as well as requirements for study designs to provide evidence of the effectiveness of touch-based multimedia applications for MMD and their caregiving relatives (PA)...

BACKGROUND: Cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs) are the first-line symptomatic pharmacologic treatment for patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD). Although the target organ for this group of drugs is the brain, inhibition of the enzyme may affect cardiac function through vagotonic and anti-inflammatory effects. OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of ChEIs on outcomes in patients with AD who have experienced myocardial infarction (MI) prior to the AD diagnosis...

Many older individuals with dementia show care-resistant behavior for oral care. Providing care despite resistance is considered to be involuntary care. The Dutch law, 'Wet zorg en dwang' (care and coercion), states that care must be ceased in the presence of resistance, unless there is (a risk of) serious harm. This study was conducted to gain insight into the attitudes of healthcare providers with regard to involuntary oral care in older individuals with dementia. An online questionnaire consisting of general questions, case specific questions and knowledge questions about the Dutch law was filled out by 392 care providers...

BACKGROUND: Cerebral amyloid angiopathy-related inflammation (CAA-ri) defines a subacute autoimmune encephalopathy, which is presumably caused by increased CSF concentrations of anti-Aβ autoantibodies. This autoinflammatory reaction is temporally and regionally associated with microglial activation, inflammation and radiological presence of vasogenic edema. Clinical characteristics include progressive demential development as well as headache and epileptic seizures. In the absence of histopathologic confirmation, the criteria defined by Auriel et al...

Het begrip persoonsgericht werken is niet meer weg te denken uit de zorg voor mensen met dementie. Er is echter weinig bekend over hoe zorgmedewerkers in verpleeghuizen invulling geven aan persoonsgericht werken. In deze kwalitatieve studie staat de vraag centraal op welke manier zorgprofessionals en naasten de persoonsgerichte elementen persoonsbeeld, communicatie, omgeving en waardigheid terugzien en toepassen in de dagelijkse zorg en wat zij hiervan vinden. Vijf zorgprofessionals en zeven naasten van bewoners met dementie zijn hierover geïnterviewd waarna de interviews zijn geanalyseerd met behulp van thematische analyse...

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BACKGROUND: There is growing attention for freedom of movement as part of person-centred dementia care. Although a closed door can reduce safety risks, it also reduces quality of life. Care organization tanteLouise strives for maximum responsible freedom for residents with dementia. Nevertheless, residents are sometimes transferred from an open to a closed psychogeriatrics (PG) department. AIM: To explore healthcare professionals' considerations in transferring residents from an open to a closed psychogeriatrics [PG] ward within tanteLouise...

A booklet was developed in Canada in 2005 to inform family caregivers of people with dementia about end-of-life care. A Dutch version was published in 2011 after evaluation and revision. Developments in research and society call for a second revision. The aim of this study was to map out users' (family caregivers and healthcare professionals) preferences regarding the look and feel, and content of the booklet. To this end, in addition to the current paper booklet, we created a prototype website and app, along with three illustration options...

As people worldwide generally live longer, the number of people with dementia is also increasing, a condition for which there is no cure yet. Therefore, there is a growing focus on enhancing the quality of life of people with dementia, as well as a growing need for (new) psychosocial interventions that enhance quality of life. An example of this is Animal assisted therapy (AAT), a goal oriented, planned and structured therapeutic intervention directed and/or delivered by professionals. Equine assisted therapy (EAT) is a specific form of AAT which uses horses or other equines...

BACKGROUND: Differentiating the behavioural variant of frontotemporal dementia from a depression is challenging. Recent development of automated speech analyses might add to diagnostic. AIM: To investigate the value of automated speech analyses in differentiating bvFTD from a depressive disorder. METHOD: A semistructured interview was recorded in 15 patients with bvFTD, 15 patients with a depressive disorder and 15 healthy controls, which was transcribed and analysed...

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A condition for good quality care for people with dementia is that nurses and carers have sufficient knowledge of dementia. To test this knowledge, to measure the effects of psychosocial interventions and to develop educational programs, knowledge tests for dementia have been developed. This review examined which knowledge tests are available for nurses and care workers. These are assessed by their method of development and their psychometric qualities. Eight measuring instruments were traced: KIDE, DKAT1, DKAT2, DKAS, ADKS, UJA Alzheimer's Care Scale, KASA and KDC-SAT...

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No abstract text is available yet for this article.

In recent years, research has consistently reported an association between hearing- and vision loss and mental health outcomes. Whether treating these condition in elders improves cognition has been addressed by several studies. Observational data suggest that treatment positively impacts cognition, even though more research is needed. Nevertheless, because hearing loss is suspected to account for 9% of dementia cases, and also because these factors are one of the few potentially modifiable factors from a dementia prevention perspective, the need to stimulate research to have clearer knowledge about the benefits of treating hearing and/or vision loss on cognitive outcomes is urgent...

<span class="CharOverride-11"> Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a neurodegenerative disorder leading to dementia. Because of predominant behavioural and emotional features it often presents to the psychiatrist.</span> AIM: <span class="CharOverride-11"> Provide an overview of the genetic background of FTD with recommendations for the clinician.</span> METHOD: <span class="CharOverride-11"> Review of the international literature.</span> RESULTS: <span class="CharOverride-11"> FTD is autosomal dominant hereditary in 10-25% of cases...

The practice of euthanasia in The Netherlands shows a gradual widening of patient categories who are considered to be eligible. The latest addition to this list consists of patients with dementia who are no longer mentally competent. They too may obtain euthanasia if they provided an Advance Euthanasia Directive stating their wish, at a time when they still were mentally competent. This possibility is explicitly mentioned in the law. A recent judgment by the Dutch Supreme Court upheld the action of a doctor who performed euthanasia under such circumstances...

This comment is a reflection on the article 'Comparative efficacy of interventions for reducing symptoms of depression in people with dementia: systematic review and network meta-analysis' of Jennifer Watt et al. (BMJ 2021;372:n532). Although 256 RCTs were included, only 10 interventions were more effective than treatment as usual for the treatment of depressive symptoms in persons with dementia. Effective interventions were almost all psychosocial treatments, only acetylcholinesterase inhibitors in combination with cognitive stimulation was more effective than treatment as usual...

The aim of this literature review is to identify the effects of social isolation and lonliness on persons with dementia and to highlight interventions for private homes and long-term care facilities. It includes articles published in the last 5 years for a total of 45 articles. Social isolation and/or lonliness is linked to reduced quality of life, neuropsychiatric symptoms, and psychotropic drug use in people living with demential. Interventions, including physical activity, should be individualized and patient centered...

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