Highlights•Little is known about the occurrence of clinically diagnosed psychiatric disorders and suicidal behavior (mental health disorders) across major dementia subtypes. •Occurrence of mental health disorders is high (25%) and differs significantly among five dementia subtypes, with the highest occurrence in frontotemporal dementia, followed by vascular, Lewy body, and mixed
Filling the gaps? The role of voluntary organizations in supporting older people with severe mental illnesses [2018]
Older people ageing with severe mental illness (SMI) usually fall in between mental health care and old age care services. The role of informal care in filling this gap is recognized. The role of other welfare providers, such as voluntary organizations, is unclear. The aim of this article is to
Ageing in forensic psychiatric secure settings: the views of members of staff [2018]
Background: Although the prevalence of older patients in forensic psychiatric services is increasing, research around service provision for this population is very limited. We aimed to gather the views of members of staff on how well secure services are meeting the challenges of an ageing population. Methods: Three focus groups
Long-Term Care Service Trajectories and Their Predictors for Persons Living With Dementia: Results From a Canadian Study [2018]
Objective: We used latent transition analysis to explore common long-term care (LTC) service trajectories and their predictors for older adults with dementia. Method: Using linked administrative data collected over a 4-year interval (2008-2011), the study sample included 3,541 older persons with dementia who were clients of publicly funded LTC in
Understanding the Phenomenon of Older Adult Homelessness in North America: A Qualitative Interpretive Meta-Synthesis [2018]
Research demonstrates that homelessness among older adults will significantly increase in the coming decades due to population ageing, a trend of first-time homelessness at mid-life and continued economic vulnerability into old age without appropriate prevention and policy response. The objective of this study was to generate a rich description of
From Social Integration to Social Isolation: The Relationship Between Social Network Types and Perceived Availability of Social Support in a National Sample of Older Canadians [2017]
It is well-documented that social isolation is detrimental to health and well-being. What is less clear is what types of social networks allow older adults to get the social support they need to promote health and well-being. In this study, we identified social network types in a national sample of
Ageing patients in forensic psychiatric settings: A review of the literature [2018]
Objectives The prevalence of ageing patients in forensic psychiatric settings is increasing. However, limited research has reported around this population. The aim of this scoping review is to synthesise the current evidence around ageing forensic psychiatric patients. Methods The literature was searched through four databases and Google searches. The identified
The experience of hospital staff in applying the Gentle Persuasive Approaches to dementia care [2018]
Introduction Hospital staff lacks knowledge and skills in dementia care. There is a need to understand how person‐centered care theory can be operationalized in staff’s practices to improve dementia care. Aims To describe the staff’s experiences of learning and applying the Gentle Persuasive Approaches (GPA) to enact person‐centered care in
Barriers and enablers in the use of respite interventions by caregivers of people with dementia: an integrative review [2018]
Background Due to the increase in the number of people with dementia, relatives often provide in-home care. This care constitutes a cornerstone of the healthcare system, and maintaining these caregivers’ well-being is therefore of paramount importance. Although respite interventions are generally considered an effective support system, they tend to be
Relationship of care staff attitudes with social well-being and challenging behavior of nursing home residents with dementia: a cross sectional study [2018]
Objectives: This study investigates the relationship between attitudes of care staff and social well-being and challenging behavior of residents in long-term dementia care. Methods: The study was based on a cross-sectional design using questionnaires. Care staff members (N = 291) of 15 long-term care facilities in the Netherlands completed the Approaches to
Effects of an animal‐assisted intervention on social behaviour, emotions, and behavioural and psychological symptoms in nursing home residents with dementia [2019]
Aim The positive effects of animal‐assisted interventions (AAIs) in people with dementia have been frequently reported in the literature. However, it remains unclear if the positive effects are directly due to the presence of the animal. The aim of this study was to investigate if the inclusion of an animal
Communication training interventions for family and professional carers of people living with dementia: a systematic review of effectiveness, acceptability and conceptual basis [2018]
Objectives: To update previous reviews and provide a more detailed overview of the effectiveness, acceptability and conceptual basis of communication training-interventions for carers of people living with dementia. Method: We searched CINAHL Plus, MEDLINE and PsycINFO using a specific search and extraction protocol, and PRISMA guidelines. Two authors conducted searches
Ageing in forensic psychiatric secure settings: the voice of older patients [2018]
Older patients account for around 20% of the population in secure forensic psychiatric services in the UK. However, little qualitative research has investigated the experience of ageing in secure settings. This study aimed to gather the individual views of a sample of patients over 50 years old in three services
‘The guy might not even be able to remember why he’s here and what he’s in here for and why he’s locked in’: residents and prison staff experiences of living and working alongside people with dementia who are serving prison sentences for a sexual offence [2018]
Prison staff and residents with sexual convictions, from two UK prisons, were interviewed to explore their understanding and experiences of dementia. The aim was to explore understanding and experiences of dementia in response to Governor-identified needs in the prisons. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 prisoners and 17 prison staff
The Canadian Charter of Rights for People with Dementia [2018]
Canadians living with dementia are entitled to the same human rights as every other Canadian, as outlined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. However, stigma and discrimination are huge barriers for people with dementia and often contravene these rights. That’s why the Alzheimer Society of Canada is pleased
Longitudinal Effects of Activities, Social Environment, and Psychotropic Medication Use on Behavioral Symptoms of Individuals With Alzheimer’s Disease in Nursing Homes [2018]
A secondary data analysis of 25,560 minutes of structured clinical observations from a longitudinal study examined the impact of time-varying background factors, social environment, and psychotropic medication use on behavioral symptoms of nursing home residents with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Data were collected at baseline (N = 177), 12 months (N
Entangled in uncertainty: The experience of living with dementia from the perspective of family caregivers [2018]
Introduction Too often dementia care is still fragmented and unresponsive to the needs of people living with dementia and their family caregivers. To develop effective health care services, in-depth insight into the experiences of family caregivers is a prerequisite. Methods This Dutch study is a qualitative interview study. The aim
Geriatrics and the Legal System [2017]
Correctional systems, already struggling to meet the basic and functional requirements of older prisoners, will be further challenged by the increasing medical and psychiatric needs of this population. Mental health and general medical care for older adults requires specific on-site or consultation expertise in geriatric medicine and psychiatry, as well
Interprovincial Variation of Psychotropic Prescriptions Dispensed to Older Canadian Adults [2018]
Background Utilization of psychotropic medications among the elderly has garnered attention due to concerns about safety and degree of efficacy, but may be used differently across regions. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study of all antipsychotic, benzodiazepine, and trazodone prescriptions dispensed to seniors ( ≥ 65 years) leveraging IQVIA (Durham,
Engagement and social interaction in dementia care settings. A call for occupational and social justice [2018]
As full citizens, people with dementia are entitled to engage in social and occupational activities in residential care settings. Limitation or deprivation of choice and experience of valued occupations has been described elsewhere as occupational injustice. This research frames the unmet needs of people with dementia for occupation and social