Dementia in Aboriginal people in Residential Aged Care Facilities in Alice Springs: A Descriptive Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 171-179
Author(s):  
Bruce Hocking ◽  
Michael Lowe ◽  
Tricia Nagel ◽  
Caroline Phillips ◽  
Melissa Lindeman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Cognitive Assessment ◽  
Aboriginal People ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Residential Aged Care ◽  
Aboriginal Populations ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Aged Care Facilities ◽  
Residential Aged Care Facilities ◽  
Clinical File

AbstractBackground:A high prevalence of dementia among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders has been reported but knowledge of underlying causes and associations remains limited.Objective:To identify the prevalence of factors that may be associated with the categories of Major neurocognitive disorders (Major NCDs) in Aboriginal people living in residential aged care facilities in Alice Springs in the Northern Territory (NT).Design and Setting:This descriptive cross-sectional study analysed clinical file and cognitive assessment data of participants who were identified as having cognitive impairment between January and June 2016.Method:Screening for the presence of cognitive impairment using the Kimberley Indigenous Cognitive Assessment (KICA) was undertaken and 58 of 84 Aboriginal people were admitted to the study. Using a clinical file audit, diagnoses of Major NCDs consistent with the DSM-5 classification were made and the prevalence of factors possibly associated with these diagnoses described.Results:Fifty of the 58 participants were diagnosed with a Major NCD. The most frequent diagnoses were Major NCD due to vascular disease (30%), Major NCD due to Alzheimer’s Disease (26%) and Major NCD due to brain injury (20%). Hypertension, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and alcohol misuse were commonly reported together with hypothyroidism, hypoglycaemia and vitamin D deficiency.Conclusion(s):This study identified possible associations with Major NCDs in this population as well as a different spread of Major NCD diagnoses to previous studies in Aboriginal populations. There is a need for further research to understand the causes of dementia in Australian Aboriginal people and to use this information to appropriately tailor treatment and prevention programmes.

scholarly journals Life Expectancy of Older People Living in Aged Care Facilities after a Hip Fracture

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Enwu Liu ◽  
Maggie Killington ◽  
Ian Cameron ◽  
Raymond Li ◽  
Susan Kurrle ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Hip Fracture ◽  
Mortality Rate ◽  
Life Expectancy ◽  
Nursing Home Residents ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Residential Aged Care ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Aged Care Facilities ◽  
Residential Aged Care Facilities

Abstract Little is known about life expectancy in nursing home residents with hip fracture. We assessed life expectancy of 240 residents of residential aged care facilities who were aged more than 70 years old and experienced recent hip fracture treated with surgery. 149 deaths occurred over a mean follow-up of 1.2 years. Being female (coefficient (β) = 0.86, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.39, 1.34; p = 0.0004) was associated with longer life expectancy. Increased age was associated with shorter life expectancy (β=-0.06, 95% CI: -0.10 to -0.02, p = 0.0043). Relative to severe cognitive impairment, normal or mild-cognitive impairment (β = 1.18, 95% CI: 0.05 to 2.31, p = 0.0414) and moderate cognitive impairment (β = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.07 to 1.04, p = 0.0237) were associated with longer life expectancy. Mortality rate within three months after hip fracture was 118 cases per 100 person-years while the mortality rate for the whole study period was 51.3 deaths per 100 person-years. For females with hip fracture, life expectancy was 8.2 years at 70 years of age; 4.8 years at 80 years of age; and 2.8 years at 90 years of age. For males with hip fracture, life expectancy was 3.8 years, 2.2 years and 1.3 years at 70, 80 and 90 years of age, respectively.

Effects of a virtual group cycling experience on people living with dementia: A mixed method pilot study

Dementia ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 147130122095132
Author(s):  
Nathan M D’Cunha ◽  
Stephen T Isbel ◽  
Jane Frost ◽  
Angie Fearon ◽  
Andrew J McKune ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Residential Aged Care ◽  
Group Setting ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Aged Care Facilities ◽  
Residential Aged Care Facilities ◽  
Environmental Stimulation

Social isolation and sedentary behaviour are common in residential aged care facilities (also known as nursing homes or long-term care). Use of new technologies such as virtual and augmented reality are currently under investigation for their potential to provide exciting and engaging activities for older people in residential aged care facilities. However, there is limited evidence on whether these technologies can promote physical activity in a small group setting for people with cognitive impairment. Using mixed methods, we examined the use of a virtual cycling experience in a sample of 10 participants with cognitive impairment living in residential aged care facilities. In a randomised crossover design, participants engaged in a 25-minute, self-paced, facilitated seated virtual cycling experience and a time-matched seated physical activity session in groups of five. All participants completed a brief pre- and post-intervention mood questionnaire. Video analysis was used for both conditions to compare levels of environmental stimulation, apathy and engagement using both the Person–Environment Apathy Rating Scale and the Engagement of a Person with Dementia Scale. A thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews following the virtual cycling experience was also performed. No differences were observed between conditions for all outcomes except for environmental stimulation, where there was a lower response in the intervention than the control condition ( p = 0.032). This was primarily driven by lower scores for the virtual cycling experience than control in physical accessibility ( p = 0.012). Participants reported the virtual cycling experience to be immersive and challenging and reminisced about cycling earlier in life. The activity manager observed that the virtual cycling experience was an overall positive experience and emphasised benefits of safety screening and preparation prior to the activities. The findings of this study support the use of the virtual cycling experience as an immersive and engaging alternative to usual activities, which might encourage higher levels of physical activity in residential aged care facilities.

Enhancing palliative care in rural Australia: the residential aged care setting

2011 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geoffrey Mitchell ◽  
Caroline Nicholson ◽  
Keith McDonald ◽  
Anne Bucetti
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
End Of Life Care ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Residential Aged Care ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Aged Care Facilities ◽  
Residential Aged Care Facilities ◽  
Advance Care

The delivery of palliative care in residential aged care communities is challenging, even more so in rural areas due to workforce ageing and shortages. The objectives of the present study were to: (i) assess the needs of, and quality of palliative care delivered to residents of 16 residential aged care facilities in rural southern Australia; and (ii) identify the needs of care staff to facilitate the delivery of quality palliative care. A cross-sectional survey of all residents, assessing the degree of functional limitation, stage of palliative care, and the presence of several quality indicators was conducted. Separate focus groups of care staff and relatives of residents sought information on the quality of care delivered, perceived strengths and weaknesses of the care delivered, and education and training needs. Quality palliative care in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) is hampered by workforce shortages, with low ratios of registered nurses, limited access to general practitioners after hours, and some communication difficulties. Some staff reported low confidence in technical and psychosocial aspects of care, especially for relatives. Relatives described mostly appropriate care, while acknowledging workload constraints. Most residents whose condition was unstable, deteriorating or terminal received advance care planning, though family expectations and unwillingness to discuss end-of-life care did tend to delay planning. Unstable residents with a reasonable prognosis were more likely to be transferred to hospital than terminally ill residents. Palliative care in participating RACFs appears to be adequate. Provision of targeted education for health care providers and implementation of protocols for advance care planning and end-of life care pathways will enhance this care.

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