Facilitating independence: The benefits of a post-diagnostic support project for people with dementia.

Providing support in the form of information, advice and access to services or social events is promoted as beneficial for people newly diagnosed with dementia and their families. This paper reports on key findings from an evaluation of a post-diagnostic support pilot project in Scotland addressing local service gaps, namely information provision, emotional and practical support and maintaining community links. Twenty-seven participants (14 people newly diagnosed with dementia and 13 family carers) were interviewed at two time points: T1 shortly after joining the pilot project and T2 approximately six months later, to ascertain their views on existing services and the support offered by the pilot project. A comparative thematic analysis revealed that the project facilitated increased independence (associated with increased motivation and self-confidence) of people with dementia. The project illustrates what can be achieved if resources are targeted at providing individualised post-diagnostic support, particularly where there are service delivery gaps

Growing older in Malta: Experiences of British retirees

International retirement migration (IRM) is attracting increasing research interest. This article reports findings from an exploratory case study of 16 older people who have moved from the UK to grow older in Malta. Data was collected using in-depth interviews drawing on a life history approach. This article builds on previous research in the IRM field by providing detailed examples of the push and pull factors influencing the decision to move to Malta and the reported positive experiences of living in Malta. The article also discusses negative impressions of life in Malta, an issue that has not been previously documented in relation to Malta. Future difficulties that the immigrants may encounter are also considered. This article contributes to the growing body of knowledge concerning the experience of IRM

The social and political context of formal dementia care provision

Dementia care is in transition, and the potential exists for a radical reform of the provision of services to people with dementia. Recent developments in Scotland based on the report of the Royal Commission on Long Term Care, With Respect to Old Age, provide an example of the possibilities and opportunities available to governments for creating services based on principles of equity and justice. It is timely therefore to consider the implications of recent government reports for the development of dementia care provision. This paper explores the social and political context of formal dementia care provision and considers the implications of recent government reports for the future. The historical discourses surrounding the term 'dementia', and where and who cares for people with dementia, provide insights into the options available to policy makers. A brief exploration of the economic context of dementia care provision, and of the historically low level of political interest in dementia care, provides a backdrop to recent political initiatives that seek to redress this omission

Pharmacotherapeutic aspects of dementia care in Malta

Dementia is the most common neurodegenerative disorder of old age affecting one percent of the local general population. It is a major predictor of morbidity and mortality in the elderly, adding a significant burden on health and social care systems across Europe. The financial impact of caring for individuals with dementia is considerable and progressive loss of cognitive function does not only pose challenges to the patients but also adds significant strain on the well-being of caregivers and family members. Although no cure is available, disease progression can be delayed by early intervention and by the use of pharmacotherapeutic agents that interfere with central neurotransmitter systems involved in cognitive processes. This review presents current trends in pharmacotherapeutic intervention in dementia care together with caregiver perceptions on treatment expectations in Malta.peer-reviewe

Does Digital Gaming Enable Healthy Aging for Community-Dwelling People With Dementia?

This article critically explores the benefits of commercial digital gaming technology for healthy aging of people with dementia. Research with community-dwelling people with dementia has highlighted the need for enhanced access to nonpharmacological interventions to support social engagement. Commercially available technologies offer a means to engage people with dementia. This article expands on this body of knowledge by assessing the benefits of digital gaming on healthy aging for community-dwelling people with dementia who have participated in a series of Tech Clubs using Apple iPads, Nintendo Wii, and Nintendo DS. Findings from this study demonstrates that use of digital gaming technologies promotes lifelong learning; optimization of mental, physical, and social stimulation; and independence, all of which promote the agenda of healthy aging

Social care and support needs of community-dwelling people with dementia and concurrent visual impairment

Objectives: Little is known about the needs of people who have both dementia and visual impairment. This study explored the social care and support needs of people with dementia and concurrent visual impairment, and the barriers and facilitators for meeting these needs. Method: Twenty-six semi-structured interviews were conducted: 21 joint interviews with the person with dementia and visual impairment and their family member / paid carer; and 5 individual interviews with either the person with dementia and visual impairment (n=4) or their family member (n=1). Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed thematically. Results: Three themes are presented. (1) Social care needs: having dementia can reduce an individual’s ability to cope with their visual impairment, and in turn make the person more dependent and prone to lack of daily stimulation. (2) Barriers to using technology to meet social care needs: difficulties were reported in learning to use unfamiliar technology, and for some, the presence of dementia made visual impairment aids unusable and vice versa. Visual impairment aids were also perceived as expensive. (3) Familiarity as a facilitator for meeting social care needs: living at home or taking furnishings and ornaments into a new home environment facilitated retention of independence, and continuity of paid carers / volunteers facilitated the caring relationship between the individual and staff / volunteer. Conclusion: Dementia and visual impairment often coexist and care workers will better serve older people if they are aware of the social care and support needs that arise from having both conditions

Technology, fun and games

With the advancement in technology, researchers are beginning to explore various avenues where technology can be used to support and improve the well-being of people with dementia by keeping them physically, socially and mentally active. Commercial ‘off-the-shelf’ technology appears to be a viable option as it is cheaper than more dementia-specific technology and more readily available. Preliminary research has also shown it can be effective at improving the lives of people with dementia through increased engagement, mental stimulation and social interaction (SCIE 2012, Upton 2011, Leahey & Singleton 2011, Leng et al 2013). However, further research is required to understand how this technology can be used with people with dementia within group settings. The aim of this article is to report on two technology groups commissioned by Bournemouth Borough Council and discuss our observations of using commercial technology with people with dementia within the community and an assisted living care setting

In their words: how television and visual media can raise awareness of dementia and other health conditions that carry stigma, including disabilities.

This article explores the mutual contribution of television and disability studies, focusing on the role of television and visual media in raising awareness and challenging gaps in understanding of dementia, a health condition that carries stigma and is framed as a disability. The Living Well with Dementia, Dorset: Video project, demonstrates the duality of how creating and disseminating a video featuring people with dementia and carers talking about what it means to live well with the condition, provides a way to use media to raise awareness of dementia. Portraying real-life experiences of people affected by dementia was crucial, and enabled these often marginalized voices to be heard. Participants discussed experiences of diagnosis, post-diagnostic support, adjustments to lifestyle, social activities and family relationships. The video was disseminated through YouTube, and the impact on understandings of dementia was established through a questionnaire. Findings indicate personal stories are a powerful way to raise awareness of dementia, an approach that could improve awareness of other health conditions that carry stigma, including disabilities. Video provides researchers with novel ways to disseminate findings that extend to new and wide- ranging audiences. The fields of television and disability studies can therefore make a valuable mutual contribution

‘Facing dementia Together’: Post diagnostic support pilot for people with dementia and their families in Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire - Final Project Evaluation Report

This document reports on the evaluation, conducted between January 2010 and April 2011, of a post diagnostic support project for people with dementia and their family carers living in Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire. Ethical approval was obtained for the evaluation. A comparative design was adopted whereby fourteen people with dementia and twelve carers were interviewed and completed structured questionnaires at two points in time. In addition twenty-two local professionals and frontline workers were interviewed at the beginning and towards the end of the evaluation period to identify their views of post-diagnostic support in the area. Data were analysed quantitatively and qualitatively to allow for comparison in reported experiences over time