scholarly journals The Importance of Aphasia Communication Groups

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marina Charalambous ◽  
Maria Kambanaros
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Clinical Importance ◽  
Functional Communication ◽  
Language Therapy ◽  
Total Communication ◽  
Chronic Aphasia ◽  
Communication Approach ◽  
Individual Self

Chronic aphasia is linked to poor functional recovery, depression, and social isolation. In the exploration of the above factors, the role of aphasia communication groups has evolved. Aphasia communication groups for stroke survivors with chronic aphasia and their communication buddies are gaining clinical importance. Communication buddies can be family members, friends, carers, health professionals, and speech and language therapy students who serve as communication facilitators for each group member. Group members share experiences on stroke and aphasia by using technology/tablets and the total communication approach. The benefits or outcomes of group involvement are measured by assessment of functional communication, individual self-ratings of the impact of aphasia on communication, and quality of life after stroke. The use of the communication buddy system, total communication approach, and systematic evaluations enables therapists to measure the effectiveness and efficacy of communication groups in terms of functional communication, social inclusion, and quality of life.

Thinking Beyond Language: Intervention for Severe Aphasia

2009 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nina Simmons-Mackie
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Communication Training ◽  
Language Intervention ◽  
Specific Training ◽  
Environmental Support ◽  
Total Communication ◽  
Communication Partners

Abstract Purpose: This article addresses several intervention approaches that aim to improve life for individuals with severe aphasia. Because severe aphasia significantly compromises language, often for the long term, recommended approaches focus on additional domains that affect quality of life. Treatments are discussed that involve increasing participation in personally relevant life situations, enhancing environmental support for communication and participation, and improving communicative confidence. Methods: Interventions that have been suggested in the aphasia literature as particularly appropriate for people with severe aphasia include training in total communication, training of communication partners, and activity specific training. Conclusion: Several intervention approaches can be implemented to enhance life with severe aphasia.

scholarly journals Quality of Life: Changes in Self-Perception in People with down Syndrome as a Result of Being Part of a Football/Soccer Team. Self-Reports and External Reports

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 226
Author(s):  
Rocío Camacho ◽  
Cristina Castejón-Riber ◽  
Francisco Requena ◽  
Julio Camacho ◽  
Begoña Escribano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Down Syndrome ◽  
Personal Development ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Evaluation Process ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Perception ◽  
Football Team ◽  
Soccer Team

The hypothesis posed was whether being part of a football/soccer team influenced the quality of life (QL) of the people who participated in it since their perception of themselves is enhanced by factors, such as self-determination, social inclusion, emotional well-being, physical well-being, material well-being, rights, personal development, and internal relationships. The objective was to evaluate the QL of people with Down Syndrome (DS) using their self-perception (n = 39) and the perception of the informants (family members, teachers) (n = 39). The KidsLife-Down Scale, with a few modifications, was used. In general, differences of opinion between the subgroups of participants with DS and informants showed that results were higher in terms of perception for participants in the DS subgroup. Scores for all variables were higher for those participants with DS who said they did engage in practicing competitive football/soccer. Although the perception of informants provides a great deal of information regarding the QL of participants with DS, participants with DS should also be involved in the evaluation process and their self-perceptions taken into account. It is not participating in a football team that causes the conclusions of the study, but training (which includes the friendly matches that are played), the cause correlated with the improvements detected in the athlete’s DS.

scholarly journals Co-Design of Social Impact Domains with the Huntington’s Disease Community

Disabilities ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 116-131
Author(s):  
Natasha Layton ◽  
Natasha Brusco ◽  
Tammy Gardner ◽  
Libby Callaway
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Huntington's Disease ◽  
Huntington’S Disease ◽  
Design Process ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Social Impact ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
The Social

Background: For people living with or affected by Huntington’s Disease (HD) to experience a good quality of life, tailored support is required to meet physical, cognitive-behavioral, psychological, and social support needs. Substantial service and knowledge gaps regarding HD exist across support providers and service systems. Measuring unmet needs and what quality of life looks like is a fundamental step required to determine the social impact of service investment and provision. The objectives of this study were to validate and map a draft set of HD Social Impact Domains (HD-SID) against existing national and international outcome frameworks; and evaluate and finalize the HD-SID set using a co-design approach with people with lived experience of, and expertise in, HD. Methods: This research used a qualitative co-design process, with 39 participants across four stakeholder groups (people who were HD gene-positive, gene-negative family members, academics, peak organizations, and service providers) to: (i) map and verify the social life areas impacted by HD; (ii) undertake a rigorous three-phased, qualitative process to critically evaluate the draft HD-SID; and (iii) seek feedback on and endorsement of the HD-SID through this co-design process, with a final set of HD-SID identified. Results: Endorsed HD-SID comprised risks and safety (including housing stability, and economic sustainability) and social inclusion (including health and symptom management, physical wellbeing, emotional wellbeing, and building resilient relationships). Conclusions: Effective measurement of the impacts and outcomes for people with HD is informed by both extant measures and an understanding of the specific population needs. This qualitative co-design research demonstrates that HD-SID resonate with the HD community.

scholarly journals Quality of Life in Persons with Intellectual Disabilities and Mental Health Problems: An Explorative Study

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Filip Morisse ◽  
Eleonore Vandemaele ◽  
Claudia Claes ◽  
Lien Claes ◽  
Stijn Vandevelde
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Positive Outcomes ◽  
Support Strategies ◽  
Professional Network ◽  
Universal Properties

The field of intellectual disability (ID) is strongly influenced by the Quality of Life paradigm (QOL). We aimed at investigating whether or not the QOL paradigm also applies to clients with ID and cooccurring mental health problems. This paper aims at stimulating a debate on this topic, by investigating whether or not QOL domains are universal. Focus groups with natural and professional network members were organized to gather qualitative data, in order to answer two questions: (1) Are the QOL dimensions conceptualized in the model of Schalock et al. applicable for persons with ID and mental health problems? (2) What are indicators relating to the above-mentioned dimensions in relation to persons with ID and mental health problems? The results offer some proof for the assumption that the QOL construct seems to have universal properties. With regard to the second question, the study revealed that the natural and professional network members are challenged to look for the most appropriate support strategies, taking specific indicators of QOL into account. When aspects of empowerment and regulation are used in an integrated manner, the application of the QOL paradigm could lead to positive outcomes concerning self-determination, interdependence, social inclusion, and emotional development.

scholarly journals Lee Silverman Voice Treatment versus standard speech and language therapy versus control in Parkinson’s disease: preliminary cost-consequence analysis of the PD COMM pilot randomised controlled trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Scobie ◽  
Sue Jowett ◽  
Tosin Lambe ◽  
Smitaa Patel ◽  
Rebecca Woolley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Language Therapy ◽  
Voice Treatment ◽  
Cost Consequence ◽  
Randomised Controlled

Abstract Background The PD COMM pilot randomised controlled trial compared Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT® LOUD) with standard NHS speech and language therapy (SLT) and a control arm in people with Parkinson’s disease (PwPD) with self-reported problems with voice or speech. This analysis compares costs and quality of life outcomes between the trial arms, and considers the validity of the alternative outcome measures for economic evaluations. Methods A comparison of costs and outcomes was undertaken alongside the PD COMM pilot trial involving three arms: LSVT® LOUD treatment (n = 30); standard NHS SLT (n = 30); and a control arm (n = 29) excluded from receiving therapy for at least 6 months after randomisation unless deemed medically necessary. For all trial arms, resource use and NHS, social care and patient costs and quality of life were collected prospectively at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months. Total economic costs and outcomes (EQ-5D-3L, ICECAP-O) were considered over the 12-month follow-up period from an NHS payer perspective. Quality of life measures for economic evaluation of SLT for people with Parkinson’s disease were compared. Results Whilst there was no difference between arms in voice or quality of life outcomes at 12 months, there were indications of differences at 3 months in favour of SLT, which need to be confirmed in the main trial. The estimated mean cost of NHS care was £3288 per patient per year for the LSVT® LOUD arm, £2033 for NHS SLT, and £1788 for the control arm. EQ-5D-3L was more strongly correlated to voice impairment than ICECAP-O, and was sensitive to differences in voice impairment between arms. Conclusions The pilot did not identify an effect of SLT on disease-specific or economic outcomes for PwPD at 12 months; however, there appeared to be improvements at 3 months. In addition to the sample size not powered to detect difference in cost-consequence analysis, many patients in the control arm started SLT during the 12-month period used for economic analysis, in line with the study protocol. The LSVT® LOUD intervention was more intense and therefore more costly. Early indications suggest that the preferred economic outcome measure for the full trial is EQ-5D-3L; however, the ICECAP-O should still be included to capture a broader measure of wellbeing. Trial registration International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number Register: ISRCTN75223808. Registered 22 March 2012.

Responsabilidade Social: Uma Abordagem centrada em Universidades Públicas Brasileiras / Social Responsibility: An Approach Centered on Brazilian Public Universities

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (57) ◽  
pp. 562-576
Author(s):  
Cleia Leimara marinho Silva ◽  
Rosalia Maria Passos da Silva
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Social Problems ◽  
Systematic Analysis ◽  
University Environment ◽  
Practical Factors ◽  
The University ◽  
Technical Capacity

Resumo: As universidades têm a atribuição de formar cidadãos responsáveis e éticos, de forma que contribuam com o desenvolvimento sustentável e resolução de problemas sociais. Nesta esteira, a responsabilidade social no ambiente universitário viabiliza a construção de ações que impactam a sociedade favorecendo a inclusão social, melhoria na qualidade de vida e outros benefícios. Diante desse cenário, busca-se nesta pesquisa responder ao seguinte questionamento: qual a importância da responsabilidade social nas universidades? E para responder a essa indagação, o artigo apresenta como objetivo geral: identificar qual a importância da responsabilidade social no ambiente universitário, e como objetivos específicos (1) compreender fatores históricos e práticos que favorecem a aplicabilidade da responsabilidade social nas universidades; (2) identificar os desafios na aplicabilidade de responsabilidade social; (3) analisar as características fundamentais da responsabilidade social. Quanto à metodologia aplicada, o artigo foi construído por meio de uma análise sistemática da literatura que permitiu realizar uma revisão teórica e conceitual, em seguida, houve a discussão da literatura, considerações finais e referencial teórico. Os Resultados revelam que a Responsabilidade Social Universitária possui muitos desafios a serem enfrentados e que o espaço universitário precisa ser fortalecido para que proporcione à sociedade indivíduos com capacidade técnica capaz de resolver problemas sociais. Abstract: Universities are responsible for training responsible and ethical citizens, so that they contribute to sustainable development and the resolution of social problems. In this way, social responsibility in the university environment enables the construction of actions that impact society, favoring social inclusion, improved quality of life and other benefits. Given this scenario, the aim of this research is to answer the following question: what is the importance of social responsibility in universities? And to answer this question, the article presents the general objective: to identify the importance of social responsibility in the university environment, and as specific objectives (1) understand historical and practical factors that favor the applicability of social responsibility in universities; (2) identify challenges in the applicability of social responsibility; (3) analyze the fundamental characteristics of social responsibility. As for the methodology applied, the article was built through a systematic analysis of the literature that allowed for a theoretical and conceptual review, then there was a discussion of the literature, final considerations and theoretical framework. The Results reveal that University Social Responsibility has many challenges to be faced and that the university space needs to be strengthened so that it provides society with individuals with technical capacity capable of solving social problems. Keywords: Social Inclusion. Social development. Quality of life. Social justice.

Towards an HCI-Based Symbiotic Environment for Alzheimer's Support

2019 ◽  
pp. 14-42
Author(s):  
Leontios J. Hadjileontiadis ◽  
Dimitrios Mandiliotis ◽  
Konstantinos Toumpas ◽  
Aikaterini Kyprioti
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Life Expectancy ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Innovative Design ◽  
Outdoor Activities ◽  
Global Epidemic ◽  
Alternative Approach ◽  
Ad Prevention ◽  
User Interfacing

Alzheimer's Disease (AD), being the most common form of dementia diagnosed in people over 65 years of age, is a global problem with dramatic impact, as there is no cure for it and worsens as it progresses, eventually leading to death. As the sufferer declines s/he often withdraws from family and society, leading to a marginalized way of living. Considering the life expectancy rise, a looming global epidemic of AD is foreseen; hence, new approaches need to be considered regarding AD prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and confrontation. In this vein, an alternative approach (namely Symbiosis) towards a symbiotic Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) environment is presented in this chapter, as a means to facilitate, understand and incorporate the needs of the whole AD community (i.e., patients, caregivers and doctors), involving cutting-edge technology, special serious games and natural-user interfacing, embedded within an innovative design framework. Overall, Symbiosis acts as a technology-based mediator for AD's indoor and outdoor activities, fostering their social inclusion and increasing their quality of life in a symbiotic context.

Evaluation of Alzheimer's Australia Vic Memory Lane Cafés

2010 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 246-255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Briony Dow ◽  
Betty Haralambous ◽  
Courtney Hempton ◽  
Susan Hunt ◽  
Diane Calleja
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Memory Loss ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Human Research Ethics ◽  
People With Dementia

ABSTRACTBackground: This paper describes the evaluation of the Memory Lane Café service in Victoria, Australia. The Alzheimer's Australia Vic Memory Lane Café model aims to provide a social and educational service to people living with dementia and their carers, family members or friends. Dementia is a serious health issue in Australia, with prevalence estimated at 6.5% of people over 65 years of age. Living with dementia has significant social and psychological ramifications, often negatively affecting quality of life. Social support groups can improve quality of life for people living with dementia.Methods: The evaluation included focus groups and surveys of people with dementia and their carers, staff consultation, service provider interviews, and researcher observation. The Melbourne Health Mental Health Human Research Ethics Committee approved the project. Participants included people with dementia (aged 60 to 93 years, previously enrolled in the Alzheimer's Australia Vic's six-week Living With Memory Loss Program), their carers, friends and/or family members, staff working in the Cafés, and service providers with links to the Cafés.Results: This evaluation found that Memory Lane Cafés promote social inclusion, prevent isolation, and improve the social and emotional well-being of attendees. However, Cafés did not meet the needs of all potential attendees.Conclusions: The evaluation recommended that existing Café services be continued and possibilities for extending the Cafés be explored. Based on evaluation outcomes, the Department of Health Victoria is funding four additional pilot programs in café style support services.

The Clinical Importance of Quality-of-Life Scores in Patients with Skull Base Tumors

2012 ◽  
Vol 73 (S 01) ◽  
Author(s):  
Moran Amit ◽  
Avraham Abergel ◽  
Dan Fliss ◽  
Nevo Margalit ◽  
Ziv Gil
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Skull Base ◽  
Clinical Importance ◽  
Skull Base Tumors
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