Focus on family care givers for individuals with dementia: implications for occupational therapy practice

Although family carers assume a pivotal role in caring for relatives with dementia, few occupational therapy studies are directed towards them (Gitlin, Corcoran & Leinmiller-Eckhardt, 1995). In this qualitative study, the researcher explored the feelings and experiences of family carers when caring for relatives with dementia. Fifteen family carers were invited to participate in two focus group interviews. Four themes emerged from the findings. First, caring duties included hands-on assistance in daily living tasks and supervision of clients' behaviours. Second, carers devised caring strategies to facilitate the caring process. Third, feelings of caregiving were fluid and complex. Finally, negative caring experiences outweighed positive ones. By understanding the unique needs of family carers, occupational therapists should include therapy to family carers as part of treating individuals with dementia. Suggested interventions include collaborative work with family carers; support groups for family carers; and education on handling techniques of cognitive impairments and behavioural changes. Copyright © 1997 Whurr Publishers Ltd.     

Slowing dementia symptoms – a qualitative study on attitudes and experiences of general practitioners in Germany

BackgroundThere is currently no cure for dementia but general practitioners (GPs) have therapeutic options available to counteract the progression of mild cognitive impairment, including drug and non-drug treatment. So far, few studies have investigated treatment strategies preferred by GPs.ObjectivesThis study aimed to gain an overview of GPs’ attitudes towards influencing the progression of dementia, their involvement regarding dementia prevention and perceived effective approaches. It also elucidated the challenges experienced by GPs and desired optimisation measures towards reinforcing secondary prevention.MethodsBetween June 2020 and March 2021, 64 semi-standardised interviews amongst GPs were conducted in all federal states of Germany. Thirty interviews were carried out in person and 34 by phone. The data were analysed according to qualitative content analysis.ResultsMany interviewees see great importance in secondary dementia prevention and believe they could make an effective contribution, some of them using non-drug approaches. GPs play a role in guiding patients and relatives towards support services. Some doctors consider drug treatment as the only option towards influencing the progression of dementia, showing low expectations on self-efficacy. Interdisciplinary collaboration is a frequent challenge, which often conflicts with a coherent treatment strategy.ConclusionMany GPs feel confident about influencing the progression of dementia and believe they can intervene effectively, using various (non-drug) treatment measures and referrals to support services. GPs perceive challenges, including obstacles in interdisciplinary collaboration and negative impacts after drug administration. To improve the conditions for GP intervention, it depends on expanding interdisciplinary collaboration and care strategies.     

Applicability of crisis intervention in family practice.

Crisis intervention is a specialized approach useful to family physicians who frequently are called upon to deal with patients in psychosocial crisis. The use of a systematic method of evaluation and treatment will aid physicians in helping patients with their problems in a fashion that is constructive for both patient and physician. A crisis may occur as a result of a change in an important social role or relationship. Appropriate intervention which is immediately available can result in a marked reduction in physical and emotional symptoms that are stress related. This paper reviews the need for crisis intervention, its historical development, theory and technique, and several examples of crises familiar to all family physicians. A case illustration is presented as a demonstration of crisis intervention in family practice.     

Service use in family caregivers of persons with dementia in Belgium: psychological and social factors

This study aims to investigate whether selected social and psychological characteristics of family caregivers of persons with dementia are related to community-based service use in Belgium. Two aspects were distinguished in service utilisation: volume (number of contacts) and diversity (number of services). Within a selected region, dementia caregivers were traced via the detection of persons with dementia known to community health or social services. A probability diagnosis was made with the Geriatric Mental State and the computer algorithm AGECAT. Family caregivers of persons with dementia (N = 168) were interviewed at home by means of a structured questionnaire. Data were analysed with multiple regression analysis. Co-residence, a positive attitude towards home service use, and increased problem-solving coping were found to be direct predictors of increased diversity of services used, whereas a lower burden of behaviour problems, living apart, and increased avoidance coping were found to be direct predictors of increased volume of service use. Care recipients' behaviour problems and functional status were not found to be related to service use. The results suggest that social and psychological factors have a larger impact on service use in family caregivers of persons with dementia, compared to objective or subjective burden. Interventions to increase awareness of relevant services, to improve attitudes towards their use and support problem-solving coping in family caregivers may be considered to increase the use of appropriate services.     

A person‐centred approach to family carer needs assessment and support in dementia community care in Western Australia

This feasibility study aimed to identify and address the support needs of family carers (FCs) of people living with dementia and to assess whether the use of the Carer Support Needs Assessment Tool (CSNAT) intervention in home‐based care was acceptable and relevant to FCs. The CSNAT intervention comprised two FC support needs assessment visits, 7 weeks apart, plus associated actions addressing prioritised needs by the Client Care Advisors of a community care service in Western Australia in 2015. Telephone interviews were conducted with FCs on their experience using the CSNAT at the end of the intervention. Twenty‐one FCs were involved in the intervention and 15 of them completed the feedback interviews. Care recipients had moderate to severe dementia. The top five support needs reported by FCs were: having time to yourself in the day; knowing what to expect in the future; practical help in the home; looking after your own health and dealing with your feelings and worries. Three themes summarised their experience: a straightforward structured approach; awareness, acknowledgement and acceptance of their situation; and provision of support. FCs appreciated the opportunity to be heard and acknowledged, to have their practical and psychosocial support needs facilitated, to identify what is important to them and to receive a response in a timely manner. The CSNAT approach offered a structured carer‐led, person‐centred, supportive intervention that facilitated discussion between the family carer and the service provider about support needs and strategies to address them.     

Exploring online identity construction for the caregivers of adults living with dementia and the value of interactions with health and social care professionals

Becoming an informal caregiver for an adult living with dementia has been shown to have a significant impact upon the conception of identity. This study aimed to identify how identity is constructed online amongst caregivers of individuals living with dementia and how healthcare interactions can influence identity development through the analysis of online web blogs. Sixteen online blogs (172 entries) were selected through purposive and snowball sampling, and discourse analysis was used to analyse online identity construction for informal caregivers of adults living with dementia. Six areas of online identity construction were identified: changing family role; powerful expert social campaigner; being an advocate; guardian of their relative's selfhood; sustaining creative and spiritual individuality and wider community member in online and real life. Further to this, the importance of health and social care service interactions in the development of caregiver identity revealed that professionals must ensure person-centred service contacts for caregivers. This is a challenging task in the pandemic climate where interactions between health and social care professionals and caregivers are limited due to isolation measures. It is evident that the blog format can provide a forum through which the identity of the caregiver of an adult living with dementia can evolve. The six areas of identity construction reveal the multifaceted nature of identity for the caregiver and the value of belonging to an online community both in relation to identity construction and support. This finding is especially applicable in the current pandemic when accessing a face-to-face community is challenging for caregivers who may be shielding or living in isolation. The findings of this research can aid health and social care professionals in understanding the development of caregiver identity and in providing appropriate support during service interactions, on accessing virtual and face to face community support.     

Allowing Visitors Back in the Nursing Home During the COVID-19 Crisis: A Dutch National Study Into First Experiences and Impact on Well-Being

ObjectivesTo prevent and control COVID-19 infections, nursing homes across the world have taken very restrictive measures, including a ban for visitors. These restrictive measures have an enormous impact on residents' well-being and pose dilemmas for staff, although primary data are lacking. A Dutch guideline was developed to cautiously open nursing homes for visitors during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study reports the first findings on how the guideline was applied in the local context; the compliance to local protocols; and the impact on well-being of residents, their family caregivers, and staff.DesignA mixed-methods cross-sectional study was conducted.Setting and ParticipantsIn total, 26 nursing homes were permitted to enlarge their possibilities for allowing visitors in their facility. These nursing homes were proportionally representative of the Netherlands as they were selected by their local Area Health Authority for participation. At each nursing home, a contact person was selected for participation in the current study.MethodsA mixed-methods cross-sectional study was conducted, consisting of questionnaire, telephone interviews, analyses of documentation (ie, local visiting protocols), and a WhatsApp group.ResultsVariation in local protocols was observed, for example, related to the use of personal protective equipment, location, and supervision of visits. In general, experiences were very positive. All nursing homes recognized the added value of real and personal contact between residents and their loved ones and indicated a positive impact on well-being. Compliance with local guidelines was sufficient to good. No new COVID-19 infections were reported during this time.Conclusions and ImplicationsThese results indicate the value of family visitation in nursing homes and positive impact of visits. Based on these results, the Dutch government has decided to allow all nursing homes in the Netherlands to cautiously open their homes using the guidelines. More research is needed on impact and long-term compliance.     

Perspectives of Australian family carers of people with dementia on the 'cottage' model of respite: Compared to traditional models of residential respite provided in aged care facilities

The majority of people living with dementia reside in the community and are often reliant on the support of informal carers to do so. Family carers face many challenges in supporting the person with dementia to remain at home, and short‐term respite care is a valued service that offers a temporary break from the role. Respite cottages provide short‐term care in a residential home‐like setting with a limited number of clients and is a more flexible approach to accessing the service. Disproportionate use of cottage respite in Australia suggests this model is preferred over traditional respite within residential aged care facility (RACF) settings, yet limited research exists to compare these models. This study sought to understand the perceptions of carers who had used cottage respite in comparison to other models, and explore the contribution of cottage respite for supporting carers to continue in their role and maintain their care recipient (CR) living at home. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 126 family carers who had used one of two New South Wales‐based respite cottages within a 2‐year period; 67 of whom had also used RACF respite. Thematic analysis revealed four main themes around the benefits of cottage respite: (a) an effective essential service, (b) flexibility, (c) familiarity and (d) appropriateness, especially for early stage or younger onset dementia. Carers indicated that the more homely, familiar and intimate cottage model of respite care was preferential to that of the larger, institutional‐style RACF respite setting. Carers credited the cottage model of respite service with delaying their need for permanent residential placement by over 12 months. The cottage respite model provides an important avenue to supporting the individual needs of dementia dyads, with potential to delay permanent placement, and should be offered more broadly to provide people with more choice about their care.     

Outreach visits to improve dementia care in general practice: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Outreach visits reflect newer developments in adult learning theory, where the learner is actively involved in the session. Previous studies have indicated a positive effect of outreach visits on GPs' behaviour. However, the empirical role of the facilitator in the visits is poorly described. OBJECTIVE: To explore general practitioners' perception of the outcome of a facilitator programme about dementia, in relation to central aspects of the facilitator's communicative role during the visits. METHOD: Observational studies, and focus group discussions with participating general practitioners (3 groups, 19 participants) as well as with facilitators (4 participants) in Vejle County, Denmark. RESULTS: Facilitators drew both on a 'factual' knowledge of dementia and a more 'experience-based' knowledge when conveying programme messages. They described themselves as 'carriers of experience'. All general practitioners described an outcome of the programme, and all wished to receive a future visit by a facilitator on new topics. The outcome was described not as ground-breaking medical news, but as practical effects in terms of knowledge of dementia, motivation for working with dementia, structured assessment and management of dementia and critical reflection of established practices regarding dementia. Some general practitioners remained critical as to whether this outcome justified the resources used in the programme. The experience-based dialogue was described as central to the outcome as it linked factual knowledge to clinical practice. CONCLUSION: This study confirms that outreach visits contribute to the integration of factual knowledge in clinical practice, but it also underscores the importance of addressing tacit communicative practices during facilitator visits and their implications for the outcome of the programme.     

推进家庭责任医生制度改革的理论探讨与政策建议

家庭责任医生制度改革的政策核心目标是提供有价值的服务。它不仅是提升社区卫生服务内涵建设的载体,而且是深化全科团队服务的体现。因此,家庭责任医生制度改革应定位于服务主体责任的转变和组织管理的创新。改革的主要内容包括服务模式创新、激励机制改革和家庭医生社区化变革。未来家庭责任医生制度改革发展既需要通过家庭责任医生的培养和培训、激励和发展来不断提高社区卫生服务的内在价值,也需要积极争取外部有利的改革环境和配套政策。通过构建合理的区域医疗协同服务体系、推进社区卫生服务医保预付制等政策来完善家庭责任医生制度。     

Social participation and family carers of people living with dementia in Australia

This paper reports on a study exploring the experiences and meaning of social participation for family carers of people living with dementia. Participants were 33 family carers (17 spouses and 16 adult children) of older adults diagnosed with dementia (any stage or type) who responded to advertisements by the national Alzheimer's association, Alzheimer's Australia. Data were collected through semi‐structured face‐to‐face and/or telephone interviews using an interview guide, which included prompts such as ‘Tell me about what social participation means to you’, and ‘How did this change…’. The methods of grounded theory were drawn upon to guide sampling and analysis of data, which continued until theoretical saturation was achieved and occurred over the period September 2011 to March 2012. Data arising from the interviews were analysed line‐by‐line and coded and categorised using the constant comparative method, with codes clustered into themes and with abstraction from the themes to arrive at the core process. The core category arising from the data was adaptation, which encompassed four main themes: autonomy to choose; the impact of care‐giving; employing strategies; and establishing meaningful connections. Carers went through a process whereby the ways in which they had previously participated socially were compromised, which often prompted an exploration of new ways in which to remain socially engaged.     

脑心通胶囊治疗血管性痴呆30例临床观察

目的观察脑心通胶囊治疗血管性痴呆的临床疗效。方法采用脑心通胶囊治疗30例血管性痴呆患者，并设对照组30例。结果两组治疗后的MMSE和HDS—R积分值均有显著增加（P〈0．05—0．01），但组间差异不显著，治疗组和对照组的总有效率分别为66．67％和63．33％，组间疗效无差异（P〉0．05）。结论脑心通胶囊治疗血管性痴呆疗效确切。     

Balancing rights and risks: Conflicting perspectives in the management of wandering in dementia

Current Government recommendations in England suggest a national approach to risk management but, in an increasingly litigious society, how do professional carers balance risk management with the promotion of a person-centred approach in dementia care? Wandering behaviour can be both beneficial and harmful to a person with dementia and generate considerable emotional distress in their carers. This study combined a systematic review and qualitative research methods to explore the perspectives of different stakeholders in the management of wandering in dementia. A major theme for carers was the conflict between the prevention of harm and the facilitation of a person's right to autonomy. Such tensions also impacted on carers' abilities to provide person-centred care. This dilemma was highlighted through the use of assistive technologies such as electronic tracking devices. Interestingly, people with dementia felt that the use of such technology placed them at greater risk, i.e. as a target to theft, than the process of wandering itself. They spoke of their need for independence and their concern over carer surveillance and the identity of ‘big brother.’ There is a need to develop practical tools for managing risk within dementia care which allow all perspectives to be captured and risk management to be negotiated.     

Practitioner perspectives on the nexus between acquired brain injury and family violence

Family violence has been highlighted by the World Health Organization as a major public health concern. Although family violence occurs to all genders, a higher prevalence of victims are female. Estimates report around 30% of all women experience intimate partner violence worldwide. Experiencing assault in the family violence context can lead to an acquired brain injury (ABI); however, the connection between these two phenomena has not been well established. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore the extent of, and factors contributing to, ABI and family violence. We conducted 22 semi‐structured interviews and one focus group (n = 4) with practitioners working with family violence victims and/or perpetrators. Thematic data analysis utilised inductive and deductive coding approaches. The Social Determinants of Health Framework was used to guide analysis. Practitioners estimated 30%–40% of the clients on their caseloads had a suspected or diagnosed ABI. They identified that contributing factors were extremely complex. These included acquiring an ABI through assault (past family violence or other criminal act), and transport crashes. Complicating factors of ABI were identified as mental health conditions, alcohol and drug use, and post‐traumatic stress disorder. Additional factors contributing to family violence were recognised as biological (age of parent, twin births, pregnancy, premature births, and children with congenital abnormalities), relationships (intimate partner, father, boyfriend, mother and siblings), previous trauma (family violence), and life stressors (unemployment, financial, and lack of housing). Social determinants of health included cultural (ethnicity, societal attitudes, values, and beliefs) and organisational (legislation and policy) factors which influenced behaviours and outcomes across all sectors. A model of Brain injury Family violence Nexus (BFN) was created to understand the interaction between these phenomena. Utilising the BFN model to understand the interaction can enhance the methods used within health and social services for a more efficacious approach.     

加强全科医生队伍建设的思考与建议

通过对我国全科医生队伍建设现状的分析,探究了制约全科医生队伍建设的原因,提出要从全科医生培养、使用、吸引等关键环节着手,系统设计我国全科医生制度,以规范化培养为核心,建立健全多渠道、多层次的全科医生培养体系,同时提高全科医学专业地位和吸引力,加强全科医生培养能力建设,促进全科医生队伍不断发展壮大.     

Applicability and transferability of interventions in evidence-based public health

The context in which public health programmes operate can play an important role in influencing their implementation and effectiveness. An intervention that has been shown to be effective in one setting may turn out to be ineffective somewhere else, even supposing it can be implemented there. Therefore, systematic reviews of public health interventions should appraise the applicability of the intervention process and the transferability of the intervention effectiveness to other localities. However, applicability and transferability appraisal is seldom reported in systematic reviews of public health and health promotion interventions. This paper aims to introduce an innovative approach to bridging this gap. A list of attributes that may impact on applicability and transferability can be developed, based on knowledge of the proposed intervention. Then the applicability and transferability of the intervention to the local setting can be rated, and given a score, based on knowledge of the local setting. This approach provides a useful tool for evaluating public health interventions and provides a reliable basis for informed decision making in resource-poor settings, where rigorous primary studies are lacking and where very limited resources put a high demand on evidence-based approaches to health promotion.