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Parker M, Barlow S, Hoe J, Aitken L. Persistent barriers and facilitators to seeking help for a dementia diagnosis: a systematic review of 30 years of the perspectives of carers and people with dementia. Int Psychogeriatr 2020; 32:1-24. [PMID: 32024558 DOI: 10.1017/s1041610219002229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To identify barriers and facilitators to help seeking for a dementia diagnosis from the perspective of carers and people with dementia. DESIGN A systematic review of the literature was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines (PROSPERO protocol registration CRD42018092524). Nine electronic databases were searched for qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods primary research studies. Two independent reviewers screened titles and abstracts, full texts of eligible studies, and conducted quality appraisal of included articles. A convergent qualitative synthesis approach was used. RESULTS From 7496 articles, 35 papers representing 32 studies from 1986 to 2017 were included. Studies originated from 13 countries across 4 continents. Barriers and facilitators were reported predominantly by carers. A small number of studies included people with dementia. Barriers included denial, stigma and fear, lack of knowledge, normalization of symptoms, preserving autonomy, lack of perceived need, unaware of changes, lack of informal network support, carer difficulties, and problems accessing help. Facilitators included recognition of symptoms as a problem, prior knowledge and contacts, and support from informal network. CONCLUSIONS Studies from a 30-year period demonstrated that barriers to help seeking persist globally, despite increasing numbers of national dementia policies. Barriers and facilitators rarely existed independently demonstrating the complexity of help seeking for a diagnosis of dementia. Multiple barriers compounded the decision-making process and more than one facilitator was often required to overcome them. Multi-faceted interventions to reduce barriers are needed, one approach would be a focus on the development of dementia friendly communities to reduce stigma and empower people with dementia and carers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sally Barlow
- Division of Nursing, City, University of London, London, UK
| | - Juanita Hoe
- Division of Nursing, City, University of London, London, UK
| | - Leanne Aitken
- School of Health Sciences, City, University of London, London, UK
- School of Nursing & Midwifery, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia
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Helvik AS, Engedal K, Šaltytė Benth J, Selbæk G. Time from Symptom Debut to Dementia Assessment by the Specialist Healthcare Service in Norway. Dement Geriatr Cogn Dis Extra 2018; 8:117-127. [PMID: 29706988 PMCID: PMC5921216 DOI: 10.1159/000487233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2017] [Accepted: 01/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives We described the duration from symptom debut to assessment at specialist healthcare outpatient clinics for dementia in Norway and explored whether educational level was associated with time from symptom debut to dementia assessment. Methods The study comprised 835 persons from a register for individuals with cognitive symptoms (NorCog). The outcome variable was time in months from symptom debut to assessment. The main independent variable was the number of years of education. Also age, gender, marital status, cognitive function, neuropsychiatric symptoms, assistance and location were assessed. Results In an adjusted linear mixed model, a higher educational level was associated with a longer duration from symptom debut to assessment, where 5 additional years of education increased the time from symptom debut to consultation by 10%. Conclusion The findings may perhaps be explained by the hypothesis that highly educated people may be able to compensate better for cognitive impairment, which is in line with a hypothesis of cognitive reserve.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Sofie Helvik
- General Practice Research Unit, Department of Public Health and Nursing, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway.,St Olavs University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway.,Norwegian National Advisory Unit on Ageing and Health, Vestfold Health Trust, Tønsberg, Norway
| | - Knut Engedal
- Norwegian National Advisory Unit on Ageing and Health, Vestfold Health Trust, Tønsberg, Norway
| | - Jūratė Šaltytė Benth
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, Campus Ahus, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,HØKH, Research Centre, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway.,Centre for Old Age Psychiatric Research, Innlandet Hospital Trust, Ottestad, Norway
| | - Geir Selbæk
- Norwegian National Advisory Unit on Ageing and Health, Vestfold Health Trust, Tønsberg, Norway.,Centre for Old Age Psychiatric Research, Innlandet Hospital Trust, Ottestad, Norway.,Institute of Health and Society, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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Archer HA, Newson MA, Coulthard EJ. Subjective Memory Complaints: Symptoms and Outcome in Different Research Settings. J Alzheimers Dis 2016; 48 Suppl 1:S109-14. [PMID: 26402081 DOI: 10.3233/jad-150108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Subjective memory complaints (SMC) are important and may, in certain individuals, herald the onset of neurodegenerative diseases such Alzheimer's disease. However, they are very common and in some individuals will result from mood disorders/personality factors or systemic illnesses. Research has been hampered by the wide variety of criteria and neuropsychological tests used to define this disorder. Different terminology has also hindered the ability to generate generalizable results. We evaluate how subjects with SMC are defined within different research settings (community, primary care, and memory clinic), their rates of progression to mild cognitive impairment and dementia, and how individuals within these contexts differ in terms of complaints, personal characteristics, and help-seeking behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hilary Anne Archer
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
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Werner P, Goldstein D, Karpas DS, Chan L, Lai C. Help-seeking for dementia: a systematic review of the literature. Alzheimer Dis Assoc Disord 2015; 28:299-310. [PMID: 25321607 DOI: 10.1097/wad.0000000000000065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Help-seeking (HS) for dementia presents a great challenge, especially because a timely and appropriate HS process might be associated with better outcomes for the person with dementia, their caregivers, and society. A clear understanding of the HS concept and its measurement in the area of dementia might improve the effectiveness of the process. AIMS The aims of our systematic review were: (1) to systematically obtain and evaluate the relevant literature on HS and dementia; and (2) to summarize current research findings and draw conclusions for future research and clinical care in this area. METHOD A systematic review of the literature on HS and dementia was conducted up till June 2013. RESULTS From the 478 retrieved articles, 48 were included in the review. Conceptually, the studies examined professional and nonprofessional sources of help; showed preference for seeking help from close relatives followed by primary health caregivers; and identified inadequate knowledge and stigmatic beliefs as the main barriers to HS. The majority of the studies did not rely on a theoretical framework. CONCLUSIONS Although the body of literature in the area of HS and dementia is growing, several conceptual and methodological limitations still have to be resolved to advance knowledge in the area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Perla Werner
- *Department of Community Mental Health †Center for Research and Study of Aging, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel ‡Ho Cheung Shuk Yuen Charitable Foundation, Hong Kong §Centre for Gerontological Nursing, School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong
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Qualls SH, Klebe KJ, Berryman K, Williams A, Phillips L, Layton H, Hiroto K, Stephens M, Anderson L, Rogers M. Motivational and Cognitive Pathways to Medical Help-Seeking for Alzheimer's Disease: A Cognitive Impairment Response Model. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 2014; 70:57-66. [DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbu058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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Schrauf RW, Iris M. Very long pathways to diagnosis among African Americans and Hispanics with memory and behavioral problems associated with dementia. DEMENTIA 2011. [DOI: 10.1177/1471301211416615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Research shows that African Americans and Hispanics experience longer delays in dementia diagnosis than do whites. This study focuses on the duration and direction of help-seeking pathways among individuals who had either very short (median: 1 year, 9 months) or very long (median: 9 years, 2 months) times-to-diagnosis. Participants reported the frequencies of events, actions, outcomes, and results around four key time points in the pathway: First Notice of a Problem, Recognition of a Pattern, First Doctor Visit, and Final Diagnosis. Using reported frequencies of events, actions, and outcomes around these events, we constructed the modal pathway or ‘canonical narrative’ and then used correspondence analysis of the data to model short and long pathways. Short pathways were dominated by stepwise movement toward diagnosis (84.5% of inertia or variance) and some ambivalence around symptom recognition (10%). Long pathways were marked by a shift away from movement toward diagnosis (44.5%) but toward the family's taking over key quotidian tasks (55.5%). We suggest that Hispanic and African American caregivers effectively provide a kind of ‘scaffolding’ for the patient, which may in fact be adaptive rather than dysfunctional. Thus, delayed diagnoses and non-diagnosis may reflect ‘active’ choices for dealing with the disease rather than avoidance of the problem.
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Apart from nihilism and stigma: what influences general practitioners' accuracy in identifying incident dementia? Am J Geriatr Psychiatry 2009; 17:965-75. [PMID: 20104054 DOI: 10.1097/jgp.0b013e3181b2075e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To assess the accuracy of the General Practitioner's (GP) judgment in the recognition of incident dementia cases and to explore factors associated with recognition. DESIGN Prospective observational cohort study, two follow-up assessments (FU 1 and FU 2) within 3 years after baseline. SETTING One hundred thirty-eight general practice surgeries in the six study centers of a prospective German study. PARTICIPANTS Participants were between 75 and 89 years of age at baseline and were recruited from the GPs' patient lists. In FU 1, 2,402 patients and in FU 2, 2,177 patients were analyzed. MEASUREMENTS GPs' judgments on their patients' cognitive status as index test; at-home patient interviews and tests, consensus diagnosis as reference; validity of the GP judgment; associations between patient factors and GPs' dementia recognition. RESULTS One hundred eleven incident dementia cases with complete data were identified in FU 1 and FU 2. Overall sensitivity of the GP judgment was 51.4%, specificity 95.9%, positive predictive value 23.6%, and negative predictive value 98.8%. GPs missed dementia more frequently in patients living alone. GPs overrated the presence of dementia more frequently in patients with problems in mobility or hearing, in patients with memory complaints, and in patients with a GP-documented depression. CONCLUSION GPs miss nearly half of incident dementia cases. They should be alert not to miss dementia in patients living alone. Without seeking additional information, a positive GP judgment seems not sufficient for case finding. GPs should be aware of their tendency to overestimate dementia in depressed and frail patients.
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Ramakers IHGB, Visser PJ, Bittermann AJN, Ponds RWHM, van Boxtel MPJ, Verhey FRJ. Characteristics of help-seeking behaviour in subjects with subjective memory complaints at a memory clinic: a case-control study. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry 2009; 24:190-6. [PMID: 18642390 DOI: 10.1002/gps.2092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Memory complaints in the absence of objective test impairments are common. Only a subset of these subjects seeks medical attention for these complaints. The aim of the present study was to investigate which factors determine why people with subjective memory complaints (SMC) seek medical attention. METHODS Thirty-three cases with SMC from a memory clinic were compared to 85 control subjects with SMC from a population-based study who did not seek help for their complaints. We investigated whether cases differed from controls with respect to the following: depressive and anxiety symptoms (SCL-90), extraversion and neuroticism (EPQ), meta-memory (MIA), quality of life (SF-36), changes in memory and daily functioning according to a relative (DECO), life-changing events, and a family history of dementia. RESULTS Cases with SMC who seek medical attention, scored lower on memory self-efficacy and quality of life. They were more often worried due to a positive family history of dementia by comparison to the control subjects. Relatives of cases reported more deterioration in daily functioning than relatives of controls. Both the cases and control subjects had similar levels of depressive and anxiety symptoms, as well as levels of extraversion and neuroticism. CONCLUSION Lower memory self-efficacy and quality of life, deterioration in daily functioning, and worries due to a positive family history for dementia are factors that determine why subjects with SMC seek medical attention. This information may be useful for the development of interventions for these subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inez H G B Ramakers
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Institute of Brain and Behaviour, Maastricht University, the Netherlands
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Abstract
Despite the significance of an early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD), African Americans are diagnosed in later stages of the disease and present with greater cognitive impairment at the time of diagnosis when compared to Euro-Americans. To this end, there exists a paucity of research on diagnostic pathways among African Americans with dementia. More specifically, few studies have explored help-seeking pathways from the initial manifestation of symptoms until an actual diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease was received from the perspective of African American caregivers. Thus, the present study examined the retrospective experiences of 17 African American caregivers who were given a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease for a family member with dementia. Participants completed face-to-face semi-structured interviews. Study findings revealed a complex interplay between the patient with dementia, entities that comprise their social support network, and clinicians.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Deborah Danner
- University of Kentucky College of Preventive Medicine/Family
Practice and Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, USA,
| | - Adah Carter
- University of Kentucky School of Public Health, USA,
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Adams D, Oliver C, Kalsy S, Peters S, Broquard M, Basra T, Konstandinidi E, McQuillan S. Behavioural characteristics associated with dementia assessment referrals in adults with Down syndrome. JOURNAL OF INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY RESEARCH : JIDR 2008; 52:358-368. [PMID: 18221333 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2788.2007.01036.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Behavioural changes associated with dementia in Down syndrome are well documented, yet little is known about the effect of such behaviours on carers and referral. By comparing the behavioural and cognitive profiles of individuals referred for a dementia assessment with those of individuals not referred, some insight can be gained into behavioural characteristics that initiate referral for specialist support or interventions. METHOD Forty-six adults with Down syndrome were divided into two groups dependent upon method of entry into the study; post-referral to a specialist service for older adults with intellectual disabilities and Down syndrome for a dementia assessment (n = 17) or after receiving information sent out to day centres and residential homes (n = 29). These groups were compared on established measures of dementia alongside two informant measures of behaviour. RESULTS Those referred for a dementia assessment evidenced scores indicative of cognitive decline on both informant and direct Neuropsychological Assessments and showed more behavioural excesses, but not deficits, and lower socialisation and coping skills than those in the comparison group. Carers of those referred for a dementia assessment reported a greater impact of behavioural excesses on staff than on the individual showing the behaviour in contrast to the comparison group. CONCLUSION The behavioural differences between those referred and the comparison group suggest that two factors are involved in the instigation of a referral for a dementia assessment: the nature of the behavioural presentation (excesses rather than deficits) and the effect of that behavioural change upon the care staff.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Adams
- School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, UK
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Abstract
Memory clinics were first described in the 1980s. They have become accepted worldwide as useful vehicles for improving practice in the identification, investigation, and treatment of memory disorders, including dementia. They are provided in various settings, the setting determining clientele and practice. All aim to facilitate referral from GPs, other specialists, or by self referral, in the early stages of impairment, and to avoid the stigma associated with psychiatric services. They bring together professionals with a range of skills for the benefit of patients, carers, and colleagues, and contribute to health promotion, health education, audit, and research, as well as service to patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Jolley
- Penn Hospital, Wolverhampton, UK.
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Caltagirone C, Bianchetti A, Di Luca M, Mecocci P, Padovani A, Pirfo E, Scapicchio P, Senin U, Trabucchi M, Musicco M. Guidelines for the Treatment of Alzheimer??s Disease from the Italian Association of Psychogeriatrics. Drugs Aging 2005; 22 Suppl 1:1-26. [PMID: 16506439 DOI: 10.2165/00002512-200522001-00002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
A committee of experts from the Italian Association of Psychogeriatrics compiled the following report, which was then approved by a Steering Committee (comprising 20 specialists in neurology, psychiatry or geriatrics) from the Association and by two Alzheimer associations representing patients and families: the Italian Association for Alzheimer's Disease and the Italian Federation for Alzheimer's Disease. The report is based on a comprehensive review of the scientific literature on the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, discusses methodological aspects of dementia management, and details the limitations of current therapies. These guidelines are, in general, consistent with the principles of evidence-based medicine; however, for some controversial or poorly investigated issues, the guidelines integrate scientific evidence with experience and opinions from experts working in the clinical setting. In particular, the clinical experience of experts has been used to define recommendations for starting and interrupting pharmacotherapy, and to critically review evidence about the efficacy of non-pharmacological interventions. The principal pharmacotherapeutic interventions covered in the guidelines are acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (donepezil, galantamine, rivastigmine, and tacrine) and memantine. The main non-pharmacological interventions reviewed are memory training, reality orientation therapy, and combined non-pharmacological interventions. Other issues covered are opportunities for Alzheimer's disease prevention, various modalities of care, and the treatment of comorbidities.
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