Dementia 7. When dementia is diagnosed, supporting the person and family caregivers

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 178-184
Author(s):  
Linda Nazarko

The impact of a dementia diagnosis can be devastating to the person with dementia and his or her family. The person and their loved ones have been informed that the person has a progressive disease that affects memory, thinking, orientation, comprehension, calculation, learning capacity, language, and judgement ( World Health Organization (WHO), 2017 ). It is often thought of as a diagnosis of despair; however, if managed well, the diagnosis is an opportunity to enable the person to experience the best possible quality of life and to inform the family of his or her wishes in relation to end-of-life care.

Author(s):  
Anna Fuchs ◽  
Aleksandra Matonóg ◽  
Joanna Pilarska ◽  
Paulina Sieradzka ◽  
Mateusz Szul ◽  
...  

Introduction: Coronavirus disease (COVID−19), announced as a pandemic by the World Health Organization, recently has dominated people’s lifestyle. The impact of COVID−19 seems to be relevant to the sexual health as well. Methods: This prospective study was conducted on two occasions involving 764 female patients between March and April 2020—before and during the time of social quarantine. The sexual function was assessed using the Polish version of the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Every patient filled out the survey concerning socio-demographic characteristics as well as the influence of SARS-CoV−2 pandemic on their lives. Results: The overall FSFI score before the pandemic was 30.1 ± 4.4 and changed to 25.8 ± 9.7 during it. Scores of every domain: desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction and pain decreased as well (p < 0.001). There was statistically significant association between the workplace and the change of FSFI scores before and during COVID−19 pandemic (p < 0.01). We noticed the biggest decrease in FSFI score in the group of women who did not work at all (5.2 ± 9.9). Religion had a statistically important impact on level of anxiety (p < 0.01). Conclusion: The main finding of our study was the influence of COVID−19 pandemic on the quality of sexual lifestyle and frequency of intercourse among Polish women.


Author(s):  
LaVera Crawley ◽  
Jonathan Koffman

This chapter attempts to identify ‘differences that make a difference’ when individuals and groups negotiate institutions and practices for palliative and end-of-life care. Two influences on the practice of palliative care-immigration and health disparities-are examined. The World Health Organization definition of palliative care specifies two goals: improving quality of life of patients and families and preventing and relieving suffering. It identifies three ‘colour blind’ strategies for meeting those goals: early identification, impeccable assessment, and (appropriate) treatment. Lastly, the definition addresses four domains of care: (1) problems related to pain, (2) physical conditions, (3) the psychosocial, (4) and the spiritual. This chapter specifically addresses these goals, strategies, and domains in relation to delivering quality palliative care in cross- or multicultural settings.


2002 ◽  
Vol 8 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 354-362
Author(s):  
M. I. Kamel

The effect of schistosomiasis on quality of life [QOL] and productivity of workers was examined. In a textile factory in Alexandria, Egypt, personal, occupational and sociodemographic data were collected from 172 workers with schistosomiasis and 172 workers without schistosomiasis. Several indicators of productivity and the World Health Organization QOL brief were used to determine the impact of schistosomiasis. The disease affected the general, physical and independence, psychological and spiritual, and social domains of QOL. Although the productivity score of workers with schistosomiasis did not differ significantly from the control group, they had significantly lower additional hours of work and lower total incentives/month. A significant relationship was found between severity of schistosomiasis and QOL domains and productivity indicators.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joyce Weeland ◽  
Loes Keijsers ◽  
Susan Branje

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of COVID-19 a pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic brought about worldwide challenges and had a profound impact on family dynamics, relationships and routines. At the same time, the impact may differ largely due to regional differences in the numbers of infections and severity of preventive measures, as well as individual and contextual risk and protective factors. The aims of this special issue were therefore to (1) provide insight into the impact of the pandemic on the family system and (2) increase our understanding of how this impact may differ between families. This special issue consists of 13 original empirical studies that show how the pandemic affected families across different levels of the family system. At first sight, it seems that many families were able to cope relatively well with the stressors. Yet, for others the demands of the pandemic and pandemic-related measures seemed to exceed their capabilities and available resources. Importantly, the studies in this special issue suggest that the pandemic disproportionally affected children, caregivers and families who were already at risk. Together, the contributions to the special issue offer knowledge on the consequences of both the pandemic and preventive measures on family functioning. At the same time it also raises questions on the long-term impact of the pandemic and its impact on families who are currently underrepresented in empirical research.


Author(s):  
Marta García-Tascón ◽  
César Sahelices-Pinto ◽  
Cristina Mendaña-Cuervo ◽  
Ana María Magaz-González

The declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in drastic changes to life worldwide. In Spain, the state of alarm caused the confinement of 47 million inhabitants, affecting every aspect of life. This study analyzes the impact of such confinement on the health of men and women, as well as the effect on the practice of physical activity (PA) of both genders. An ad hoc questionnaire was administered. A total of 1046 people (48.57% men and 51.43% women) with an average age of 40 years (SD ± 13.35) participated in this study. For both genders, there was a significant decrease in quantity and intensity (p = 0.000). There was also an alteration in the type of PA practiced, shifting from cardiorespiratory exercise and muscular fitness to flexibility and neuromotor exercise (especially in women). The most popular way of practicing PA during the confinement was “autonomously” (statistically higher in men (M = 3.58) compared to women (M = 3.18)) and the most frequent format was “virtual” (statistically higher in women (M = 2.81) compared to men (M = 1.94)). Confinement modifies the habits of PA practice, especially in men. Both genders put their health and quality of life at risk by not following the PA guidelines of the health authorities World Health Organization (WHO) and American College of Sports Medicine ACSM). These conclusions highlight the importance of considering gender when designing programs and PA formats for the promotion of physical activity to reduce the existing gender divide.


2020 ◽  
Vol 50 (9) ◽  
pp. 990-998
Author(s):  
Shigeko Umezaki ◽  
Yusuke Shinoda ◽  
Akitake Mukasa ◽  
Shota Tanaka ◽  
Shunsaku Takayanagi ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective The factors associated with health-related quality of life in patients with glioma remain unclear; particularly, the impact of symptoms on quality of life has not been studied comprehensively. This study aims to document the quality of life of patients with glioma and clarify the impact of symptoms. Methods In this cross-sectional study, participants were recruited from patients at The University of Tokyo Hospital and from patients who were registered at the Japan Brain Tumor Alliance. We included adult patients with World Health Organization grade II–IV glioma and excluded those with disturbances of consciousness or aphasia. We used the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30 and BN20 to evaluate quality of life and the symptoms. Multiple regression analyses were performed to investigate the impact of symptoms on European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer global health status and QLQ-C30 social functioning. In addition, we performed univariate subgroup analyses classified by World Health Organization grade and history of chemotherapy. Results This study included 76 patients. Seven symptoms occurred in more than 50% of the patients: fatigue, future uncertainty, drowsiness, communication deficit, financial difficulties, motor dysfunction and weakness of legs. Multiple regression analyses showed that insomnia affected their global health status, and appetite loss, financial difficulties and motor dysfunction were significantly related to their social functioning. In subgroup analysis, the number of symptom subscales that were significantly related to global health status and social functioning was larger in World Health Organization grade II patients compared with grade III/IV patients. Conclusions In addition to neurological deficits, symptoms were associated with poor quality of life in patients with glioma. This study provided the basis on further investigation of usefulness of symptom evaluation on quality of life improvement.


2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 117-124
Author(s):  
A. Juzyszyn ◽  
D. Kunecka ◽  
B. Musiał

Introduction: The paper presents the possibility of assessing the quality of life (QOL) of children on dialysis. Purpose: To evaluate the QOL depending on the health status of children on dialysis, to compare the subjective assessment of the QOL and to identify some of the factors independently affecting the QOL. Materials and methods: The study has been conducted on a group of 28 children on dialysis. Research tools: Poland abbreviated version of the survey assessing the quality of life of The World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL); survey constructed on the basis of the Polish version of Kidney Disease and Quality of LifeTM Short Form (KDQOL-SFTM) Version 1.2 and a questionnaire assessing QOL of children and adolescents with end-stage renal disease on dialysis and transplantation of kidneys by Rubik, Grenda, Jakubowska - Winecka and Dabrowska. Results: There were no significant differences in QOL between children treated with peritoneal dialysis and Hemodialisis (HD). While there is a strong correlation between the severity of depressive symptoms and the treatment's duration, financial status and parents' education. Conclusions: The phenomenon of reduced QOL must be counteracted. Medical pediatric staff of dialyze centers should especially pay attention to the problem of life’s quality, due to the intensity of disease’s impact on growing organism, should actively counteract the phenomena of its decrease by continuous therapeutic education of patient and his or her family.


2003 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 249-252 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcelo T Berlim ◽  
Marcelo P A Fleck

Since the '70s, the assessment of quality of life (QOL) has grown from a 'small cottage' industry to a formal discipline within a coherent theoretical framework, accepted methods, and manifold applications. In recent years, QOL has become increasingly popular as a useful variable tailored to assess the overall impact of diseases and medical treatments from the patient's point of view. In this updating paper, we describe the most frequently used instruments, and discuss the conceptual and practical issues concerning QOL evaluation, as applied to the study of mental disorders. In addition, we present a unifying definition of QOL that has recently been developed by the World Health Organization. Finally, we conclude that QOL measures are potentially useful methods to be applied to research and clinical practice in psychiatry - especially when used to demonstrate the impact of mental illnesses and the possible benefits of therapeutic interventions.


Water is a vital element for the development and maintenance of life on our planet, for which it is necessary to preserve and ensure the continual persistence of water, not only to provide man with a sufficient quantity for these needs but to assure him an ir upright quality of this water. The main objective of this work is to evaluate the physicochemical quality of the water of the Temara water and the comparison of this quality with Moroccan and international standards. Physico-chemical analyzes showed true variations in the different parameters studied, related to the impact of agricultural activities. The physicochemical characterization of the samples revealed a pH close to neutrality and relatively high salt contents. The chloride content was between 14.20 and 958.5 mg / l. For nitrate and nitrite load varies and 0.5 mg/L and 5.7 mg / L. These parameters of pollution were relatively high , compared to the average concentrations usually met for Moroccan drinking .The results obtained clearly exceed the standards of WHO (World Health Organization). Effluents therefore constitute a health risk. In conclusion, the pretreatment of these waters is strongly recommended.


2021 ◽  
Vol 234 ◽  
pp. 00078
Author(s):  
Hicham En-nkhili ◽  
Issam Etebaai ◽  
Khadija El kharrim ◽  
Driss Belghyti

In order to assess the quality of surface water of Boudaroua Lake, located in the Moroccan Pre-rif.The water quality parameters was used to evaluate the potential presence of toxicity of this ecosystem. To this end, samples and hydrochemical analyzes were carried out for five permanent stations around the Lake, during the study period (July 2019, October 2019, January 2020). The study was based on 11 parameters, namely, turbidity (TUR), dissolved oxygen (O2), total hardness (DT), calcium (Ca2+),magnesium(Mg2+), sodium (Na+),potassium (K+), ammonium (NH+4), chloride(Cl−), sulfate( SO2−4), nitrate (NO-3)were considered. The results obtained of these physicochemical parameters have been compared with the Moroccan standard (MS) for surface water and with the World Health Organization (WHO). The results indicated that the values of the physicochemical parameters varies significantly seasonally due to precipitation rate variation. In addition the impact of Agricultural pollution resulting from the excessive use of fertilizers that enter the lake through waterways, such as ammonium NH+4, and dissolved oxygen (O2) its value reaching respectively 1.09 mg/L ,12 mg/L remains above standards (MS) and (WHO) which could harm the ecosystem of the lake.


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