Evaluating Mobility in Advanced Dementia: A Scoping Review and Feasibility Analysis

2018 ◽  
Vol 59 (6) ◽  
pp. e683-e696 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen Van Ooteghem ◽  
Kristin Musselman ◽  
David Gold ◽  
Meghan N Marcil ◽  
Ron Keren ◽  
...  

Abstract Background and Objectives Mobility decline is a symptom of advanced dementia that affects function, safety, caregiving, and quality of life. Monitoring mobility status is essential for initiating timely and targeted interventions aimed at preventing excess disability in people with dementia (PWD). The physical, cognitive, and behavioral symptoms of dementia however, present unique challenges for mobility assessment. The goals of this review were to (a) identify and describe measures of mobility used for PWD and (b) assess measures’ feasibility for use in people with advanced dementia; a group whose degree of cognitive impairment results in severe functional deficits. Research Design and Methods Electronic searches of Medline, Embase, CINAHL, and PsychInfo databases were conducted using keywords related to dementia, mobility, measurement, and validation. Descriptive characteristics were extracted and measures coded for mobility components. Tools were also evaluated for feasibility of use in advanced dementia and those deemed feasible, screened for psychometric strength. Results Thirty-eight measures were included and 68% of these tools were performance-based. Elements of mobility evaluated were walking (53% of measures), postural transitions (42%), standing (40%), mobility-related behavioral/psychological symptoms (24%), transfers (10%), bed mobility (5%), and wheeled mobility (3%). 36% of studies included people with advanced dementia. Only 18% of tools received high scores for feasibility. Discussion and Implications Existing measures provide only partial information regarding mobility and few target elements that become relevant as dementia progresses. Most measures are not feasible for people with advanced dementia, and the psychometric evaluation of these measures is limited. Further research is needed to develop a comprehensive, dementia-specific, mobility assessment tool.

2012 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 118-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Päivi Topo ◽  
Helinä Kotilainen ◽  
Ulla Eloniemi-Sulkava

Background: Evidence on the importance of the physical environment for the well-being of people with dementia has been growing steadily. Objective: This article aims to (1) introduce an assessment tool for evaluating the physical care environment for people with dementia; (2) describe the method's initial results and the subsequent feedback provided to the 10 care units; and (3) describe the follow-up results 1 year later. The goal has been to provide care workers and managers with information that affects the well-being of people with dementia and to provide this information on the care environment in the context of their own work environment. Methods: The assessment was part of a randomized controlled intervention using nonpharmaceutical methods to decrease behavioral and psychological symptoms of people with dementia. During the half-day visits, photographs and field notes were taken, and a final assessment was carried out via the Residential Care Environment Assessment (RCEA) tool developed at the beginning of the study and based on affordance theory. Follow-up data were gathered after 12 months. Results: There were several possibilities for improvements in the provision of residential care in a person-centered environment. Improvements were needed mostly in comfort and in providing opportunities for engagement, activity, and expression of identity. However, in practice, it was difficult to achieve the improvements even with an intensive intervention study. Conclusions: The authors conclude that the physical care environment involves a complex set of issues and stakeholders in which the impetus to fulfill responsibilities to carry out improvements can easily fall away.


GeroPsych ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Kuemmel (This author contributed eq ◽  
Julia Haberstroh (This author contributed ◽  
Johannes Pantel

Communication and communication behaviors in situational contexts are essential conditions for well-being and quality of life in people with dementia. Measuring methods, however, are limited. The CODEM instrument, a standardized observational communication behavior assessment tool, was developed and evaluated on the basis of the current state of research in dementia care and social-communicative behavior. Initially, interrater reliability was examined by means of videoratings (N = 10 people with dementia). Thereupon, six caregivers in six German nursing homes observed 69 residents suffering from dementia and used CODEM to rate their communication behavior. The interrater reliability of CODEM was excellent (mean κ = .79; intraclass correlation = .91). Statistical analysis indicated that CODEM had excellent internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = .95). CODEM also showed excellent convergent validity (Pearson’s R = .88) as well as discriminant validity (Pearson’s R = .63). Confirmatory factor analysis verified the two-factor solution of verbal/content aspects and nonverbal/relationship aspects. With regard to the severity of the disease, the content and relational aspects of communication exhibited different trends. CODEM proved to be a reliable, valid, and sensitive assessment tool for examining communication behavior in the field of dementia. CODEM also provides researchers a feasible examination tool for measuring effects of psychosocial intervention studies that strive to improve communication behavior and well-being in dementia.


Author(s):  
Gretchen R. Pfost ◽  
Brett Cook ◽  
Chang Ha Doh ◽  
Jerome Uthapan

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jung-Hee Kim ◽  
Seonmin Park ◽  
Hyeongji Lim

Abstract Background The purpose of this study was (1) to develop a virtual reality (VR) intervention program based on the psychological needs of patients residing in nursing facilities in South Korea to alleviate their behavioral and psychological symptoms and (2) to confirm the possibility of utilizing VR in patients with dementia. Methods In the first phase, patients with dementia residing in nursing homes and experiencing behavioral and psychological symptoms were recruited. Surveys and questionnaires were used to identify activities that alleviated the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) among the patients. These activities were classified into five types of psychological needs. In the second phase, a fully immersive, interactive, easy-to-use VR platform was developed that reflected these psychological needs. Patients with dementia experienced the VR content. The researchers assessed the level of the participants’ immersion, preference, and interaction with the VR using a 5-point Likert scale. Results In the feasibility test, 10 nursing home residents were recruited. The mean immersion score was 4.93 ± 0.16 points, the mean preference score was 4.35 ± 0.41 points, and the mean interaction score was 3.84 ± 0.43 points using a 5-point Likert scale. Higher mean scores indicated a more positive outcome. Six of the 10 participants required assistance while using the VR. The mean VR experience duration was 10.00 ± 3.46 min. Conclusions The VR-based intervention program that was developed to reduce BPSD was feasible for the participants and provided them with a high degree of satisfaction and immersion. Furthermore, this study also confirmed the convenience and safety of the program. These findings support the potential use of VR-based BPSD intervention programs to treat patients with dementia.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 941-942
Author(s):  
Kelly Bradbury ◽  
Elaine Moody ◽  
Katie Aubrecht ◽  
Meaghan Sim ◽  
Melissa Rothfus

Abstract Emergency measures including social distancing and program restrictions during COVID-19 has reduced supports for people living with dementia and family/friend caregivers in the community. Consequently, these reductions in dementia services and resources have added to existing challenges and (in)equities for this stigmatized population. The objectives of this study were to identify how community-based resources and services for people with dementia and their caregivers are impacted by public health emergency measures enacted during COVID-19 and other infectious pandemics and secondly, use an intersectional health equity perspective to explore how supports for people and families living with dementia are affected by social determinants of health. A scoping review using JBI methodology was conducted. Academic databases searched included Embase, Medline, CINAHL and PAIS. Grey literature was searched using the CADTH tool. English articles published after 2000 in high-income countries were included. Data was extracted by two reviewers using an adaptation of the Health Equity Impact Assessment tool to explore factors related to health equity. Findings included articles discussing the COVID-19 pandemic (N=15). Most alterations to dementia services included switching to telehealth platforms with some advantages/disadvantages of this method discussed. Limited information on how different populations experienced service changes was identified and more research is needed to address issues of (in)equities for people living with dementia and their caregivers during public health emergencies. Information on how health emergency responses affects dementia services and their users will provide important information on resources for current and future efforts to analyze and assess their impacts.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 384-393
Author(s):  
Carolina Pinazo

The behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia are very predominant in the disease, aggravating the suffering of people with dementia and increasing the physical and emotional burden professional caregivers are exposed to. Despite being so present in nursing homes, professional caregivers do not always have adequate training or the tools needed to deal with these situations. Objectives: to determine what knowledge professional caregivers in residential centres have about behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia; to evaluate how behavioural and psychological symptoms associated with dementia are managed by professional caregivers in residential centres; and to know the training needs perceived by professional caregivers in behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia. Professionals (in the fields of psychology, nursing coordination and geriatric assistance) from residential centres for the elderly were interviewed and a qualitative analysis of the interviews was carried out. The results show that most professionals do not know the behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia or how to cope with them and have low levels of knowledge. This study highlights the need to design and provide ongoing training in the residential setting on the management of these symptoms.


2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 509-523 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon JC Davies ◽  
Amer M Burhan ◽  
Donna Kim ◽  
Philip Gerretsen ◽  
Ariel Graff-Guerrero ◽  
...  

Introduction: Behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) include agitation and aggression in people with dementia. BPSD is common on inpatient psychogeriatric units and may prevent individuals from living at home or in residential/nursing home settings. Several drugs and non-pharmacological treatments have been shown to be effective in reducing behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia. Algorithmic treatment may address the challenge of synthesizing this evidence-based knowledge. Methods: A multidisciplinary team created evidence-based algorithms for the treatment of behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia. We present drug treatment algorithms for agitation and aggression associated with Alzheimer’s and mixed Alzheimer’s/vascular dementia. Drugs were appraised by psychiatrists based on strength of evidence of efficacy, time to onset of clinical effect, tolerability, ease of use, and efficacy for indications other than behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia. Results: After baseline assessment and discontinuation of potentially exacerbating medications, sequential trials are recommended with risperidone, aripiprazole or quetiapine, carbamazepine, citalopram, gabapentin, and prazosin. Titration schedules are proposed, with adjustments for frailty. Additional guidance is given on use of electroconvulsive therapy, optimization of existing cholinesterase inhibitors/memantine, and use of pro re nata medications. Conclusion: This algorithm-based approach for drug treatment of agitation/aggression in Alzheimer’s/mixed dementia has been implemented in several Canadian Hospital Inpatient Units. Impact should be assessed in future research.


BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. e019082 ◽  
Author(s):  
Filipa Landeiro ◽  
Katie Walsh ◽  
Isaac Ghinai ◽  
Seher Mughal ◽  
Elsbeth Nye ◽  
...  

IntroductionDementia is the fastest growing major cause of disability globally and may have a profound impact on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of both the patient with dementia and those who care for them. This review aims to systematically identify and synthesise the measurements of HRQoL for people with, and their caregivers across the full spectrum of, dementia from its preceding stage of predementia to end of life.Methods and analysisA systematic literature review was conducted in Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online , ExcerptaMedicadataBASE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews , Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effect, National Health Service Economic Evaluation Database and PsycINFO between January 1990 and the end of April 2017. Two reviewers will independently assess each study for inclusion and disagreements will be resolved by a third reviewer. Data will be extracted using a predefined data extraction form following best practice. Study quality will be assessed with the Effective Public Health Practice Project quality assessment tool. HRQoL measurements will be presented separately for people with dementia and caregivers by instrument used and, when possible, HRQoL will be reported by disease type and stage of the disease. Descriptive statistics of the results will be provided. A narrative synthesis of studies will also be provided discussing differences in HRQoL measurements by instrument used to estimate it, type of dementia and disease severity.Ethics and disseminationThis systematic literature review is exempt from ethics approval because the work is carried out on published documents. The findings of the review will be disseminated in a related peer-reviewed journal and presented at conferences. They will also contribute to the work developed in the Real World Outcomes across the Alzheimer’s disease spectrum for better care: multimodal data access platform (ROADMAP).Trial registration numberCRD42017071416.


2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 140-146 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deborah Hutchinson ◽  
Martin Isaacs ◽  
Lucy Chamberlain ◽  
Karen Harrison Dening

Background: The veteran community are at increased risk of poor mental health and developing dementia as a result of their miliary service, with the potential to lead to delayed onset post-traumatic stress disorder (DOPTSD). The manifestation of DOPTSD may be misinterpreted as behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), which create difficulties in caring for the person experiencing these distressing symptoms. Aims: This paper details the development of a screening tool for people with dementia, which aims to reframe and contextualise some of the behaviours under the lens of historic traumatic events. Methods: The utility of the screening tool is demonstrated through the presentation and an analysis of an anonymised case study to support nurse practice development. Conclusions: A trauma history tool offers a more comprehensive and interpretive view of the possible historic, trauma-related causes of current behaviours and can aid informal carers' understanding of the stress and distress reactions of their family members.


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