Respiratory Function and Upper Extremity Functional Activity Performance in People With Dementia: A Shout for Attention

Author(s):  
Cátia Paixão ◽  
Ana Tavares ◽  
Alda Marques

The aim of this study was to explore respiratory function and upper extremity functional activity in people with dementia (PWD) and the associations between these variables and cognitive function (n = 22 institutionalized PWD, 28 community-dwelling PWD, and 26 healthy older people). All measures were significantly lower in PWD who live in an institution, such as a nursing home or long-term care facility or who attend adult daycare than PWD who live in a community dwelling . The values from these two groups were significantly lower than those from healthy older people. Moderate to high negative correlations between upper extremity functional activity and respiratory function (−.73 < rs < −.49) and cognitive function (rs = −.83), and between cognitive function and respiratory function (−.74 < rs < −.58) were identified (p < .001). When adjusted for cognitive function (−.38 < rs < −.29; p < .05), the association between upper limb functional activity and respiratory function decreased. The decline demonstrates the importance of physical activity and cognitive and respiratory function in PWD.

Author(s):  
José-Manuel Ramos-Rincón ◽  
Máximo Bernabeu-Whittel ◽  
Isabel Fiteni-Mera ◽  
Almudena López-Sampalo ◽  
Carmen López-Ríos ◽  
...  

Abstract Background COVID-19 severely impacted older adults and long-term care facility (LTCF) residents. Our primary aim was to describe differences in clinical and epidemiological variables, in-hospital management, and outcomes between LTCF residents and community-dwelling older adults hospitalized with COVID-19. The secondary aim was to identify risk factors for mortality due to COVID-19 in hospitalized LTCF residents. Methods This is a cross-sectional analysis within a retrospective cohort of hospitalized patients≥75 years with confirmed COVID-19 admitted to 160 Spanish hospitals. Differences between groups and factors associated with mortality among LTCF residents were assessed through comparisons and logistic regression analysis. Results Of 6,189 patients≥75 years, 1,185 (19.1%) were LTCF residents and 4,548 (73.5%) were community-dwelling. LTCF residents were older (median: 87.4 vs. 82.1 years), mostly female (61.6% vs. 43.2%), had more severe functional dependence (47.0% vs 7.8%), more comorbidities (Charlson Comorbidity Index: 6 vs 5), had dementia more often (59.1% vs. 14.4%), and had shorter duration of symptoms (median: 3 vs 6 days) than community-dwelling patients (all, p&lt;.001). Mortality risk factors in LTCF residents were severe functional dependence (aOR:1.79;95%CI:1.13-2.83;p=.012), dyspnea (1.66;1.16-2.39;p=.004), SatO2&lt;94% (1.73;1.27-2.37;p=.001), temperature≥37.8ºC (1.62;1.11-2.38; p=.013); qSOFA index≥2 (1.62;1.11-2.38;p=.013), bilateral infiltrates (1.98;1.24-2.98;p&lt;.001), and high C-reactive protein (1.005;1.003-1.007;p&lt;.001). In-hospital mortality was initially higher among LTCF residents (43.3% vs 39.7%), but lower after adjusting for sex, age, functional dependence, and comorbidities (aOR:0.74,95%CI:0.62-0.87;p&lt;.001). Conclusion Basal functional status and COVID-19 severity are risk factors of mortality in LTCF residents. The lower adjusted mortality rate in LTCF residents may be explained by earlier identification, treatment, and hospitalization for COVID-19.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 408-408
Author(s):  
Dorota Szcześniak ◽  
Adrianna Senczyszyn ◽  
Maria Maćkowiak ◽  
Marta Ciułkowicz ◽  
Katarzyna Lion ◽  
...  

Abstract During the pandemic long-term care facilities (LTCF) social health providers constantly remain in a dilemma between loyalty to people with dementia and concerns for their own families. All of these factors could contribute to the mental burden, burnout, and increased chance of depression, anxiety and post-traumatic symptoms. In our study we aimed to provide a window on psychopathological consequences (somatic symptoms, anxiety and insomnia, social dysfunction, and depression) associated with the exposure of LTCF employees to the risk of the SARS-CoV-2 contagion in Poland. Moreover, we investigated if institutional factors, such as personal protection equipment availability, safety guidelines or access to psychiatric and psychological support at the workplace, contribute to the decrease of psychological distress of the LTCF personnel. The results can serve as ready-made guidelines for mitigating the SARS-CoV-2 impact on dementia care and constitute the basis for further analysis of long-term consequences of this precedential situation.


1995 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 493-513 ◽  
Author(s):  
James W. Gladstone

AbstractThis paper focuses on the feelings that institutionalised and community-dwelling spouses have in regard to their own or their spouse's living in a long-term care facility. Qualitative data were gathered from 161 married respondents. Themes associated with positive feelings included: benefit to self, benefits to spouse, reappraisal of self as caregiver, and appraisal of institutionalisation. Themes associated with negative feelings included: concern about institutionalised partner's care, tension with staff, stress associated with visiting, loss of purpose, loneliness, privacy, and tissues related to the marital relationship. Data indicate that feelings about institutionalisation must be analysed in various contexts. Implications for service delivery are discussed.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (20) ◽  
pp. 9433
Author(s):  
Noortje Aarden-van Delft ◽  
Manon Peeters ◽  
Liselore Snaphaan

Functional disability in people with dementia is associated with placement in long-term care facilities, feelings of depression and caregiver burden. As there is currently no cure for dementia, more attention is needed for personalised support for people living with dementia at home. A promising non-pharmacological innovation for reducing problems in functional activities is biodynamic lighting. This type of artificial lighting resembles a normal daylight curve, including changes in light intensity and colour during the day. The aim of this pilot study with three participants is to explore the possible influence of biodynamic lighting on functional activities over time on people with dementia living at home. The study used an A-B-A-B withdrawal single-case experimental design. In the intervention phases, the participants were exposed to biodynamic lighting, while in the placebo phases, the participants were exposed to placebo light. Both light phases came from the same light system. Based on this study protocol, the quantitative effects of biodynamic light related with functional activity did not reach significance. However, the qualitative results of lighting seem promising with a stabilisation of functional activity experienced over time. Future research should examine the effects that light may have on functional activity more in-depth. This study offers recommendations for longitudinal research.


2016 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paula McNiel ◽  
Judith Westphal

New methods of care are required to meet the needs of people with dementia and their caregivers. The Namaste Care™ program provides a person-centered approach through meaningful activities and loving touch. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the experiences of residents, staff, and family involved in the Namaste Care™ program at a long-term care facility in the United States. A descriptive approach was used to interview 14 staff members. The findings revealed six themes: peaceful sanctuary, relating their way, transforming experiences, connections and community, positive moments, and awakened to the possibilities. Results suggest that Namaste Care™ may be useful for individuals no longer able to participate in traditional long-term care setting activities. Further studies are indicated to confirm the impact on hospital readmissions, therapy enhancement, and medication use in relationship to Namaste Care™ program participation.


2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S37-S37
Author(s):  
F. Verhey

Memory clinics (MCs) are multidisciplinary teams involved with early diagnosis and treatment of people with dementia. In this presentation, we will discuss several trends of the role of psychiatrists over the last twenty years, on the basis of five questionnaires that were sent to MCs every 5 years in the Netherlands.MCs have developed in Europe using a range of service models but providing similar functions, which include assessment, information, treatment monitoring, education, training and research. MCs may vary among each other, and across countries. Psychiatrists used to play a coordinating role in most MCs, but there is now a tendency that MCs are more frequently led by other specialists, notably neurologists. In 1998 in the Netherlands, only a small minority of the MCs had a structural cooperation with local service providers, but 10 years later, most of them were collaborating with other regional care organizations. In most cases, the collaborating partner was a community mental health team or a long-term care facility.Disclosure of interestThe author has not supplied his declaration of competing interest.


2003 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tom Barnicle ◽  
Karen Stoelzle Midden

This study investigated the effects of indoor horticulture activities on the current psychological well-being of older people in two long-term care facilities over a 7-week period. Thirty-one participants at one facility served as the control group. Thirty-one participants at another facility served as the horticulture group. Participants in both facilities continued with their normal daily routine and activities over the 7-week period; however, the horticulture group participated in a 1-hour horticulture activity session once a week over the 7-week period and the control group did not. The control group and horticulture group did not differ significantly in psychological well-being prior to the start of the study. After the 7-week program, the horticulture group had a significant increase in psychological well-being, whereas the control group had a slight decrease in psychological well-being. The results of this study indicate that horticulture activities may have a beneficial effect on the current psychological well-being of older people in a long-term care facility.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 276-276
Author(s):  
Diana DiGasbarro ◽  
Courtney Whitaker ◽  
Benjamin Mast

Abstract Assessment of and care for people with dementia is shifting away from a purely medical disease model toward a more holistic, biopsychosocial approach. Within this movement is growing interest in balancing the negative, symptom-based view of people with dementia with better understanding of strengths and positive behaviors exhibited by people with dementia. The aim of this qualitative study was to gather perspectives of professional caregivers regarding positive behaviors and strengths observed in people with dementia. Data were obtained from three focus groups conducted at a memory care unit within a large long-term care facility. Focus group participants (N=14) worked in nursing and the activities department. Inductive methods were used to code and analyze focus group transcripts and recordings. Five major themes were identified: enduring abilities and values, enduring traits and strengths, sense of purpose and meaning, desire to be helpful, and prosocial behavior. These themes illustrate many domains in which professional caregivers have observed positive behaviors and strengths in people with dementia living in a long-term care facility. The results of this study contribute to the growing literature pertaining to the intersection of positive psychology and dementia research and practice. Future directions include development of an assessment tool to measure positive behavior and strengths in people living with dementia.


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