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Lee DR, Romero T, Serrano K, Panlilio M, Rojas-Parra A, Matsuno L, Mendez MF, Willinger C, Reuben DB. Demographics, Symptoms, Psychotropic Use, and Caregiver Distress in Patients With Early vs Late Onset Dementia. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry 2024:S1064-7481(24)00289-6. [PMID: 38600005 DOI: 10.1016/j.jagp.2024.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Understanding experiences and challenges faced by persons living with Early-Onset Dementia (EOD) compared to individuals diagnosed with Late-Onset Dementia (LOD) is important for the development of targeted interventions. OBJECTIVE Describe differences in sociodemographic, neuropsychiatric behavioral symptoms, caregiver characteristics, and psychotropic use. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS Cross-sectional, retrospective study including 908 UCLA Alzheimer's Dementia Care Program participants (177 with EOD and 731 with LOD). MEASUREMENTS Onset of dementia was determined using age at program enrollment, with EOD defined as age <65 years and LOD defined as age >80 years. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were measured once at enrollment. Behavioral symptoms were measured using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire (NPI-Q) severity score and caregiver distress was measured using the NPI-Q distress score. Medications included antipsychotic, antidepressant, benzodiazepines and other hypnotics, antiepileptics, and dementia medications. RESULTS EOD compared to LOD participants were more likely men, college graduates, married, live alone, and have fewer comorbidities. EOD caregivers were more often spouses (56% vs 26%, p <0.01), whereas LOD caregivers were more often children (57% vs 10%, p <0.01). EOD was associated with lower odds of being above the median (worse) NPI-Q severity (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.58; 95% CI 0.35-0.96) and NPI-Q distress scores (aOR, 0.53; 95% CI 0.31-0.88). Psychotropic use did not differ between groups though symptoms were greater for LOD compared to EOD. CONCLUSION Persons with EOD compared to LOD had sociodemographic differences, less health conditions, and fewer neuropsychiatric symptoms. Future policies could prioritize counseling for EOD patients and families, along with programs to support spousal caregivers of persons with EOD.
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Affiliation(s)
- David R Lee
- Multicampus Program in Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, Division of Geriatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, University of California (DRL, KS, DBR), Los Angeles, CA.
| | - Tahmineh Romero
- Department of Medicine Statistics Core (TR), David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Katherine Serrano
- Multicampus Program in Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, Division of Geriatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, University of California (DRL, KS, DBR), Los Angeles, CA
| | - Michelle Panlilio
- Department of Medicine (MP, LM, CW), David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Abel Rojas-Parra
- Department of Geriatric Medicine (ARP), Clinica Sierra Vista, Bakersfield, CA
| | - Lauren Matsuno
- Department of Medicine (MP, LM, CW), David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Mario F Mendez
- Department of Neurology, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (MFM), David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Neurology Service, Neurobehavior Unit, V.A. Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Christine Willinger
- Department of Medicine (MP, LM, CW), David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - David B Reuben
- Multicampus Program in Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, Division of Geriatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, University of California (DRL, KS, DBR), Los Angeles, CA
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Maters J, van der Steen JT, de Vugt ME, Bakker C, Koopmans RT. Palliative Care in Nursing Home Residents with Young-Onset Dementia: Professional and Family Caregiver Perspectives. J Alzheimers Dis 2024; 97:573-586. [PMID: 38217594 PMCID: PMC10836558 DOI: 10.3233/jad-230486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The evidence underpinning palliative care in dementia is mostly based on research in older populations. Little is known about the palliative care needs of people with young-onset dementia (YOD). OBJECTIVE To describe palliative care practices including advance care planning (ACP) in people with YOD residing in Dutch nursing homes. METHODS The study presents baseline questionnaire data from an observational cohort study. Physicians, family caregivers, and nursing staff completed questionnaires about 185 residents with YOD. The questionnaires included items on sociodemographics, quality of life measured with the quality of life in late-stage dementia (QUALID) scale, dementia-related somatic health problems, symptoms, pain medication, psychotropic drugs, and ACP. RESULTS The mean age was 63.9 (SD 5.8) years. Half (50.3%) of them were female. Alzheimer's disease dementia (42.2%) was the most prevalent subtype. The mean QUALID score was 24.0 (SD 7.9) as assessed by family caregivers, and 25.3 (SD 8.6) as assessed by the nursing staff. Swallowing problems were the most prevalent dementia-related health problem (11.4%). Agitation was often reported by physicians (42.0%) and nursing staff (40.5%). Psychotropics were prescribed frequently (72.3%). A minority had written advance directives (5.4%) or documentation on treatment preferences by the former general practitioner (27.2%). Global care goals most often focused on comfort (73.9%). Proportions of do-not-treat orders were higher than do-treat orders for all interventions except for hospitalization and antibiotics. CONCLUSIONS ACP must be initiated earlier, before nursing home admission. A palliative approach seems appropriate even though residents are relatively young and experience few dementia-related health problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasper Maters
- Department of Primary and Community Care, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Radboudumc Alzheimer Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Jenny T. van der Steen
- Department of Primary and Community Care, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Radboudumc Alzheimer Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Marjolein E. de Vugt
- School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Alzheimer Center Limburg, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Christian Bakker
- Department of Primary and Community Care, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Radboudumc Alzheimer Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Groenhuysen, Center for Geriatric Care, Roosendaal, the Netherlands
| | - Raymond T.C.M. Koopmans
- Department of Primary and Community Care, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Radboudumc Alzheimer Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Joachim en Anna, Center for Specialized Geriatric Care, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
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Pinkert C, Holle B. Home-based care for people living with dementia at the end of life: the perspective of experts. BMC Palliat Care 2023; 22:123. [PMID: 37658329 PMCID: PMC10472677 DOI: 10.1186/s12904-023-01251-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the last phase of their lives, people living with dementia often indicate restlessness, anxiety or pain. Further, their care is considered inadequate, as they are, for example, sometimes overtreated for curative care or undertreated for pain management. These patients also face multiple barriers in accessing palliative care. This qualitative study explores the perception of experts about how people living with dementia in Germany are cared for at home toward the end of their lives. METHODS A total of 12 experts involved in outpatient/palliative care were recruited to constitute a purposive, heterogeneous sample. Interviews, which were structured using an interview guide, were conducted with physicians, nurses, representatives of health insurance funds, welfare associations, municipal counselling centres, scientists and coordinators of outpatient palliative care and voluntary work; the interviews were transcribed and analysed via thematic content analysis, based on Kuckartz's method. RESULTS The analysis of the results led to the establishment of four main categories that focused on formal care arrangements, the roles of relatives in care arrangements, the specifics of dementia, and restrictions on access to palliative care. CONCLUSIONS Suitable end-of-life care for people living with dementia and support for their relatives require resources and the conceptualisation of specific care arrangements to help minimise potential barriers that prevent access to palliative care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christiane Pinkert
- Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen, Standort Witten, Witten, Germany.
- Faculty of Health, School of Nursing Science, Witten/Herdecke University (UW/H), Witten, Germany.
| | - Bernhard Holle
- Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen, Standort Witten, Witten, Germany
- Faculty of Health, School of Nursing Science, Witten/Herdecke University (UW/H), Witten, Germany
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Vaismoradi M, Jamshed S, Lorenzl S, Paal P. PRN Medicines Management for Older People with Long-Term Mental Health Disorders in Home Care. Risk Manag Healthc Policy 2021; 14:2841-2849. [PMID: 34262371 PMCID: PMC8274703 DOI: 10.2147/rmhp.s316744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Older people with long-term mental health conditions who receive care in their own home are vulnerable to the inappropriate use of medications and polypharmacy given their underlying health conditions and comorbidities. Inappropriate use of pro re nata (PRN) medications in these older people can enhance their suffering and have negative consequences for their quality of life and well-being, leading to readmission to healthcare settings and the increased cost of health care. This narrative review on published international literature aims at improving our understanding of medicines management in home care and how to improve PRN medication use among older people with long-term health conditions in their own home. Accordingly, the improvement of PRN medicines management for these older people requires the development of an individualised care plan considering ‘reduction of older people’s dependence on PRN medications’, ‘empowerment of family caregivers’, and ‘support by healthcare professionals.’ PRN medication use should be reduced through deprescription and discontinuation strategies. Also, older people and their family caregivers should be encouraged to prioritize the use of non-pharmacologic methods to relieve physical and psychological problems. Besides the empowerment of family caregivers through role development, education and training about PRN medications, and involvement in decision-making, they need support by the multidisciplinary network in terms of supervision, monitoring, and home visits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mojtaba Vaismoradi
- Faculty of Nursing and Health Sciences, Nord University, Bodø, 8049, Norway
| | - Shazia Jamshed
- Clinical Pharmacy and Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, University Sultan Zainal Abidin, Terengganu, 22200, Malaysia
| | - Stefan Lorenzl
- Professorship for Palliative Care, Institute of Nursing Science and -Practice, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, 5020, Austria.,Department of Neurology, Klinikum Agatharied, Hausham, 83734, Germany
| | - Piret Paal
- WHO Collaborating Centre at the Institute for Nursing Science and Practice, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, A-5020, Austria
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