Month: June 2016

A systematic review of the effect of telephone, internet or combined support for carers of people living with Alzheimer’s, vascular or mixed dementia in the community. (Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Jun 2016)

The objective of this review was to assess the effectiveness of interventions delivered by telephone, internet or combined formats to support carers of community dwelling people living with Alzheimer’s Disease, vascular dementia or mixed dementia.
Concludes that when considering the ratio of number of studies to successful outcomes, combined telephone and internet delivery of multicomponent interventions demonstrated relatively more positive outcomes in reducing depression, burden and increasing self-efficacy than telephone alone or internet alone. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions targeted at specific types of dementia and to understand which components of interventions are most effective.

A systematic review of the effect of telephone, internet or combined support for carers of people living with Alzheimer’s, vascular or mixed dementia in the community. (Follow this link if you have an Athens password). Alternatively contact the UHSM Academy Library for a copy of the article or call 0161 291 5778)

‘And so I took up residence’: The experiences of family members of people with dementia during admission to an acute hospital unit. (Dementia 2016)

It is estimated that a quarter of acute hospital beds are in use by older people with dementia at any one time. Little empirical research has been carried out that has specifically examined the day-to-day input of family members into the care of people with dementia during an acute hospital admission. In this article, we present the results of analysis of interviews with 26 family members of people with dementia about their experiences of supporting an admission of a person with dementia to an acute hospital unit in New Zealand. For all family members, the desire to support the person with dementia during their admission was at the forefront and was their primary focus. The theme, ‘And so I took up residence’, exemplifies fully the experiences of all of the family member participants. This study provides evidence that family members are a resource that may be unrecognised, untapped and unsupported in the event of hospitalisation of people with dementia.

The Academy Library does not currently subscribe to the journal that this article appears in, however we can most likely request it from another library. Please contact the UHSM Academy Library for more detail or call 0161 291 5778.

In whose best interests? A case study of a family affected by dementia. (Br J Community Nursing, June 2016)

Many people with dementia are cared for by family members. Family carers often feel bound to support the person with dementia at the expense of their own needs, which can be neglected. They often experience distress when making decisions, especially over ethical dilemmas when their own interests and those of the person being cared for conflict. This paper presents a case study approach to consider best interests decision making for families affected by dementia. In the case study, a carer is supporting his father to remain living at home although he feels this unsafe and the demands of this cause tension with his family and affect his performance at work.

In whose best interests? A case study of a family affected by dementia. (Br J Community Nursing, June 2016) (Follow this link if you have an Athens password). Alternatively contact the UHSM Academy Library for a copy of the article or call 0161 291 5778)

Living well with dementia: enhancing dignity and quality of life, using a novel intervention, Dignity Therapy. (Int J Old Peop Nurs, 2016, 11(2), p.107-120)

To assess the feasibility, acceptability and potential effectiveness of Dignity Therapy to improve the quality of life and reduce psychological and spiritual distress in older people with early stage dementia. Dementia is a syndrome with several causes that leads to a progressive decline in multiple areas of functioning. The maintenance of dignity and enhancement of quality of life are key elements of care. Meaningful communication may become more difficult with condition progression. Improvements in communication may have positive effects on the person’s quality of life. Dignity Therapy is a short psychotherapeutic intervention that uses a trained therapist to take the person with dementia through a guided interview process, producing a ‘generativity’ document that creates a lasting, written legacy during a time when they are still able to communicate well. This study demonstrated that Dignity Therapy is feasible, acceptable and potentially effective for older people with dementia. Three overarching themes emerged: A life in context, A key to connect and Personal legacy. We recommend that this feasibility study forms the basis for further study, advocating the prospective benefits to patients with dementia, families and nursing practice. Dignity Therapy, as a psychosocial intervention, has the potential to improve the quality of life and enhance person centred care for people with dementia.

Living well with dementia: enhancing dignity and quality of life, using a novel intervention, Dignity Therapy. (Follow this link if you have an Athens password). Alternatively contact the UHSM Academy Library for a copy of the article or call 0161 291 5778)

TOOLKIT Improving hydration among older people in care homes and the community. (Apr 2016, NE Hants & Farnham Clinical Commissioning Group)

This toolkit has been designed for staff in care homes and carers in the community. It provides a readily accessible and practical guide to help them assist older people (including people with dementia) in their care to achieve optimum hydration.

Access the paper by clicking here TOOLKIT Improving hydration among older people in care homes and the community.

The impact of personal budgets on unpaid carers of older people (Journal of Social Work June 2016 pps. 1-23)

This paper focuses on the impact of a personal budget – either in the form of a direct payment or managed personal budget – on the role of unpaid carers of older budget holders.

The Academy Library does not currently subscribe to the journal that this article appears in, however we can most likely request it from another library. Please contact the UHSM Academy Library for more detail or call 0161 291 5778.

Role confusion as a barrier to effective carer involvement for people with intellectual disabilities in acute hospitals: findings from a mixed‐method study (Journal of Advanced Nursing June 2016)

The aim of this article is to understand issues around carer roles that affect carer involvement for people with intellectual disabilities in acute hospitals.

Role confusion as a barrier to effective carer involvement for people with intellectual disabilities in acute hospitals: findings from a mixed‐method study (Follow this link if you have an Athens password). Alternatively contact the UHSM Academy Library for a copy of the article or call 0161 291 5778)