scholarly journals Dignity-preserving dementia care

2013 ◽  
Vol 20 (8) ◽  
pp. 861-880 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oscar Tranvåg ◽  
Karin A Petersen ◽  
Dagfinn Nåden

Research indicates the essentiality of dignity as a vital component for quality of life, reconfirming the emphasis on dignity preservation in the international code of nursing ethics. Applying Noblit and Hare’s meta-ethnography, the aim of the study was to develop a theory model by synthesizing 10 qualitative articles from various cultural contexts, exploring nurse and allied healthcare professional perception/practice concerning dignity-preserving dementia care. “Advocating the person’s autonomy and integrity,” which involves “having compassion for the person,” “confirming the person’s worthiness and sense of self,” and “creating a humane and purposeful environment,” was identified as a primary foundation for dignity-preserving dementia care. “Balancing individual choices among persons no longer able to make sound decisions, against the duty of making choices on behalf of the person,” which involves “persuasion” and/or “mild restraint,” was considered a crucial aspect in certain situations. “Sheltering human worth—remembering those who forget” was identified as a comprehensive motive and core value within dignity-preserving dementia care.

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 61-61
Author(s):  
Emily Roberts

Abstract It is estimated that 5.4 million Americans have some form of dementia and these numbers are expected to rise in the coming decades, leading to an unprecedented demand for memory care housing and services. In searching for innovative options to create more autonomy and better quality of life in dementia care settings, repurposing existing structures, in particular vacant urban malls, may be one option for the large sites needed for the European model of dementia villages. These settings may become sustainable Dementia Friendly City Centers (DFCC), because in the case of enclosed mall construction, the internal infrastructure is in place for lighting, HVAC, with varied spatial configuration of public spaces. This presentation describes the community engagement research being conducted by a research team at a Midwestern university, laying groundwork for the DFCC model for centralized dementia programs, services and attached housing. Focus group outcomes from four disciplines (caregiver, physician, designer, community development) detailed four principle themes including : community revitalization, building sustainability, urban regreening and the nurturing of innovation to further a culture of dementia care which is inclusive, progressive and convergent with the needs of an aging. The DFCC model can be seen as one opportunity to make life better not only for those with needs associated with dementia now, but also for ourselves in the future, therefore educating and updating future stakeholders about the value of this model of care will be critical in transforming current hurdles into future opportunities.


2021 ◽  
pp. 009579842110342
Author(s):  
Lydia HaRim Ahn ◽  
Angel S. Dunbar ◽  
Erica E. Coates ◽  
Mia A. Smith-Bynum

The present study tested a path analytic model that addressed two questions regarding the connection between one aspect of racial socialization (cultural pride reinforcement), communication between mothers and their adolescent children, adolescent ethnic identity, and mental health. First, we tested whether quality of communication moderated the relationship between cultural pride reinforcement and ethnic identity affirmation and anxiety/depressive/withdrawn symptoms. Then, we examined whether cultural pride reinforcement and quality of communication with mothers were directly linked to ethnic identity affirmation and in turn lower anxiety/depressive symptoms and withdrawn behaviors. Our sample included 111 African American adolescents (58.2% female; ages 14–17) in the mid-Atlantic region. Results of a path analysis indicated that cultural pride reinforcement and quality of communication independently and uniquely related to internalizing symptoms through ethnic identity affirmation. Findings contribute to a novel understanding of how both cultural (cultural pride reinforcement) and universal (quality of communication) are important factors to foster African American adolescents’ healthy adjustment and sense of self.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 567-567
Author(s):  
Angel Duncan

Abstract This session identifies common misconceptions about identity for persons living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD). Going beyond diagnostic brain imaging and neurocognitive testing, case studies and research in creativity from around the United States highlights consciousness of persons living with ADRD. Reviewing and discussing artworks is aimed to set dialogue in the question of where memory deposits emerge when engaged in creativity. Through art therapy techniques, this type of self-expression may provide new avenues in treatment for dementia care. Exploring the arts from those with Mild Cognitive Impairment to late stage Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, such as frontotemporal dementia, consciousness seems to remain intact despite neural death. This session aims to discourage poor spending allocations and establishing meaningful care. From clinical research trials to creativity of self-expression, the importance of why the arts and sciences matter are demonstrated as effective modalities that enhance quality of life.


2008 ◽  
Vol 192 (4) ◽  
pp. 300-305 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire A. G. Wolfs ◽  
Alfons Kessels ◽  
Carmen D. Dirksen ◽  
Johan L. Severens ◽  
F. R. J. Verhey

BackgroundAn integrated multidisciplinary approach to dementia is often recommended but has rarely been evaluated.AimsTo evaluate the clinical effects of an integrated multidisciplinary diagnostic facility for psychogeriatric patients.MethodPatients suspected of having complex psychogeriatric problems were randomly allocated to the intervention (n=137) or to treatment as usual (n=93). They were assessed at baseline, and at 6 months and 12 months follow-up by means of personal interviews with the patient's proxy. The primary outcome was health-related quality of life, assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS) of the EuroQd measure, EQ-5D.ResultsHealth-related quality of life had improved at 6 months in the intervention group, whereas that of the control group had decreased. Furthermore, more patients in the intervention group experienced a clinically relevant improvement of 10 points or more on the VAS at both follow-up measurements.ConclusionsAn integrated multidisciplinary approach improves dementia care.


2018 ◽  
pp. 1-6

Aims and Scope: Perception of health related quality of life (QoL) may result from the complex interplay between the severity of the disease and the patient’s psyche. It the present study we assumed that anxiety and coping based on emotions may contribute to reduced QoL in patients with mild systolic heart failure (HF). Methods: We examined mainly males with systolic HF (almost all with ischemic etiology of HF, all classified in the NYHA class II, receiving standard pharmacological treatment). Each patient underwent a physical examination, routine laboratory tests and standard transthoracic echocardiography and completed psychological questionnaires assessing: coping styles, sense of self efficacy, acceptance of illness, optimism and the level of anxiety and QoL (by Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire). Results: Emotion-oriented coping was strongly positively related to an overall score reflecting QoL (r=0.37) as well as to both dimensions of QoL, with exceptionally high correlation with the emotional dimension (r=0.24 and r=0.62, respectively, all p<0.05). More reduced QoL (overall score as well as scores in both analysed dimensions) was significantly (all p<0.05) but weakly (r=-0.21, r=-0.20 and r=-0.26, respectively) related to lower acceptance of the illness. Higher level of anxiety was related to more reduced QoL (all p<0.05). Reduced QoL in emotional dimension was related to the tendency to avoidance-oriented coping (r=0.26, including also a sub style based on distraction, r=0.34) as well as to lower sense of self-efficacy (r=-0.20) and lower level of optimism (r=-0.20, all p<0.05). Conclusion: The results indicate that HF patients are psychologically diverse, which is not related to disease severity. However, QoL was related to emotion-oriented coping and anxiety. Psychological support for patients with HF should be focused on teaching adequate methods of coping and reducing anxiety.


Dementia ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 1316-1324
Author(s):  
Claire Royston ◽  
Gary Mitchell ◽  
Colin Sheeran ◽  
Joanne Strain ◽  
Sue Goldsmith

There are an increasing number of people living with dementia in care home settings. Recent reports suggest that people who deliver care to residents living with dementia in care homes require specialist support to provide optimum care. To address this need Four Seasons Health Care, the largest provider of care homes within the UK today, sought to design a dementia care framework that enhanced the quality of life for people living with dementia in their care homes. The framework was designed using a robust evidence base, engagement with people living with dementia, their care partners, policy-writers, multidisciplinary professionals and people within the organisation. This paper describes the methodology behind the dementia care framework and outcomes data from the first phase (of 20 care homes that included the care of 451 people living with dementia). The main outcome was a significant improvement in the quality of the lives of residents across biological, psychological, social and spiritual needs.


1988 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 201-210
Author(s):  
Jan L. Stanley-Muchow ◽  
Betty Y. Poe

With increasing numbers of elderly individuals facing nursing home living, interest in programs addressing the experienced quality of life in these residences has increased. Educational programs have been identified as one way to improve the experience of nursing home life. Concurrently, technology has developed rapidly and provides new avenues for service delivery. This article describes the use of a growing technology, teleconferencing, to provide a college course to elderly nursing home residents. Students' responses to the course are presented using five individual illustrations, and implications for programs and research are discussed. Preliminary findings are reported and related to three areas: the potential effectiveness of courses offered via teleconferencing to nursing home residents, the importance of nursing home programs which foster residents' sense of self, and a type of research information which appears fruitful for future work in this area.


Author(s):  
Ewa Górska

A disabled person in a company is affected by a number of various environmental conditions. Among these the most important are such as organizational, technical, social, economic and, finally, legal working conditions. The standard and quality of the just mentioned conditions determine significantly the way in which a disabled person performs the assigned tasks and duties in the company and it also helps to create the individual sense of self-fulfillment and work satisfaction. What is more, at the same time the level of environmental conditions influences directly work efficiency and profits of the company. It must be clearly stated that working conditions do not appear immediately and spontaneously - they need careful planning and modern organization. This research paper presents the environmental conditions and discusses a model design of the work organization for the disabled people.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document