Spouse Caregivers' Perceptions of Influence of Dementia on Marriage

2002 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ulla Eloniemi-Sulkava ◽  
Irma-Leena Notkola ◽  
Kaija Hämäläinen ◽  
Terhi Rahkonen ◽  
Petteri Viramo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Behavioral Change ◽  
Intervention Study ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Behavioral Changes ◽  
Telephone Interviews ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Spouse Caregivers ◽  
Dementing Illness ◽  
Male Patients ◽  
Patients Experience

Objectives: To investigate what kind of changes spouse caregivers of demented patients experience after the onset of dementia (a) in the general atmosphere, happiness, and relations of marriage and (b) in the sexual side of marriage. Design: Semistructured telephone interviews of spouse caregivers of demented patients. Setting: Community-living demented patients and their spouse caregivers in eastern Finland. Participants: The spouse caregivers of 42 demented patients recruited from a previous intervention study. Measures: The questionnaire covered different areas of marriage from the time before and after the onset of dementia. Results: A statistically significant decline had occured in extent of happiness (p = .012), in equal relations (p = .001), and in patients' expressions of sexual needs (p < .001) when compared the time before and after dementia. Twenty-five (60%) of the caregivers reported that the demented patient had shown at least one negative sexual behavioral change during the course of dementia. Seven male patients (24%) had shown the behavioral symptom of constantly expressing need for making love. One in 10 caregivers had experienced positive sexual behavioral changes. In one third of the patients, the expressions of tenderness towards the caregiver had increased. Dementia did not affect significantly the general atmosphere of the marriage. Out of those still in home care, at 3 years from the onset of dementia, 19 couples (46%) continued to practice intercourse, at 5 years the number was 15 couples (41%), and at 7 years it had declined to 7 couples (28%). Conclusions: Dementing illness has a major negative impact on many dimensions of marriage. However, there are also positive changes and preserved aspects of marriage. Dementia seems to have a surprisingly little impact on whether the couple continues to have intercourse when compared with the general aging population.

scholarly journals Does Diabetes Mellitus Alter the Onset and Clinical Course of Vascular Dementia?

2010 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 145-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Santosh B. Murthy ◽  
Ali Jawaid ◽  
Salah U. Qureshi ◽  
Yogeshwar Kalkonde ◽  
Andrew M. Wilson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Vascular Dementia ◽  
Neuropsychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Disease Onset ◽  
Multiple Risk Factors ◽  
History Of ◽  
Dementing Illness ◽  
Multiple Variables ◽  
Rate Of Decline ◽  
The Individual

Background:Vascular dementia (VaD) is the second most common dementing illness. Multiple risk factors are associated with VaD, but the individual contribution of each to disease onset and progression is unclear. We examined the relationship between diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM) and the clinical variables of VaD.Methods:Data from 593 patients evaluated between June, 2003 and June, 2008 for cognitive impairment were prospectively entered into a database. We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 63 patients who fit the NINDSAIREN criteria for VaD. The patients were divided into those with DM (VaDDM, n = 29) and those without DM(VaD,n= 34). The groups were compared with regard to multiple variables.Results:Patients with DM had a significantly earlier onset of VaD (71.9 ± 6.54 vs. 77.2 ± 6.03,p< 0.001), a faster rate of decline per year on the mini mental state examination (MMSE; 3.60 ± 1.82 vs. 2.54 ± 1.60 points,p= 0.02), and a greater prevalence of neuropsychiatric symptoms at the time of diagnosis (62% vs. 21%,p= 0.02).Conclusions:A history of premorbid DM was associated with an earlier onset and faster cognitive deterioration in VaD. Moreover, DM was associated with neuropsychiatric symptoms in patients with VaD. A larger study is needed to verify these associations. It will be important to investigate whether better glycemic control will mitigate the potential effects of DM on VaD.

Decreasing the Burden in Families Caring for a Relative With a Dementing Illness

1985 ◽  
Vol 33 (10) ◽  
pp. 664-670 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason Kahan ◽  
Bryan Kemp ◽  
Fred R. Staples ◽  
Kenneth Brummel-Smith
Keyword(s):  
Dementing Illness

A Stimulation-Retreat Special Care Unit for Elders With Dementing Illness

1998 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 379-395 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Powell Lawton ◽  
Kimberly Van Haitsma ◽  
Jennifer Klapper ◽  
Morton H. Kleban ◽  
Ira R. Katz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Control Unit ◽  
Special Care ◽  
Special Care Unit ◽  
Negative Behaviors ◽  
Positive Behaviors ◽  
Control Units ◽  
Dementing Illness ◽  
And Control ◽  
Negative Attributes ◽  
Additional Stimulation

Two equivalent special care nursing home units for elders with dementing illness were randomly designated as experimental and control units for an intervention called the “stimulation-retreat” model. This model introduced a set of staffing and program changes whose purpose was to diagnose, prescribe, and apply a package of care according to individual needs for additional stimulation or relief from stimulation (“retreat”). A total of 49 experimental and 48 control unit residents completed 12 months of care and were evaluated at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months. It was hypothesized that the intervention would not affect the basic disability (cognitive and activities of daily living functions), would improve negative behaviors and observed affects, and would have maximum impact in increasing positive behaviors and affects. Over time, most functions worsened, including negative attributes and affects. Lesser decline in positive affect and increases in external engagement, however, led to the conclusion that the intervention showed a marginally significant and selective effect on positive behaviors and affect.

Homicide and Attempted Homicide by Patients Suffering from Dementia: Two Case Reports

1994 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 136-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen B. Ticehurst ◽  
Ian G. Gale ◽  
Stewart J. Rosenberg
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Elderly Patients ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Dementing Illness

Two elderly patients suffering from a dementing illness are described. The patients manifested homicidal behaviour in association with dementia. Possible risk factors for such behaviour are explored. Implications arising from the cases are discussed.

PS-46-3 Visual mismatch negativity (MMN) in normal aging and dementing illness

1995 ◽  
Vol 97 (4) ◽  
pp. S205
Author(s):  
Mutsumi Iijima ◽  
Mikio Osawa ◽  
Yasuhiro Nageishi ◽  
Ryosuke Ushijima ◽  
Makoto Iwata
Keyword(s):  
Mismatch Negativity ◽  
Normal Aging ◽  
Visual Mismatch Negativity ◽  
Dementing Illness

Dysfunctional Behavior Rating Instrument

1997 ◽  
Vol 8 (S3) ◽  
pp. 333-341 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. William Molloy ◽  
Michel Bédard ◽  
Gordon H. Guyatt ◽  
Judy Lever
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Daily Living ◽  
Treatment Plan ◽  
Behavior Rating ◽  
Activity Of Daily Living ◽  
Dysfunctional Behavior ◽  
Identification Evaluation ◽  
Rating Instrument ◽  
Dementing Illness

A dysfunctional behavior can be defined as “an inappropriate action or response, other than an activity of daily living, in a given social milieu that is a problem for the caregiver.” Dysfunctional behaviors commonly accompany cognitive impairment and are a significant source of burden to caregivers. Dysfunctional behaviors may be the first sign of a dementing illness, even before caregivers perceive changes in the patient's cognitive abilities. However, unlike cognitive impairment, dysfunctional behaviors are amenable to medical treatment. Effective treatment of these behaviors requires their description and identification, evaluation of their frequency and impact on the caregiver, identification of causes, development of a treatment plan, and evaluation of the effects of treatment.

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