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Dementia Special Care Units (dementia + special_care_unit)
Selected AbstractsNeuropsychiatric symptoms and quality of life in patients in the final phase of dementiaINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRY, Issue 1 2009Raymond T.C.M. Koopmans Abstract Objectives To assess neuropsychiatric symptoms and quality of life in a group of patients in the final phase of dementia. Methods All patients with dementia (n,=,216) residing on dementia special care units of two Dutch nursing homes were included in the study provided they met the criteria for the final phase of dementia. Neuropsychiatric symptoms were assessed with the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Nursing Home version (NPI-NH) and the Cohen Mansfield Agitation Inventory (CMAI). Quality of life was assessed with the QUALIDEM Results Of the 216 dementia patients 39 met the criteria for the final phase of dementia. The patients showed a specific pattern of behaviours with a high prevalence of apathy, agitation and behaviours that were mainly observed during morning care such as making strange noises, grabbing, performing repetitious mannerism, spitting, hitting, screaming and pushing. Overall quality of life of these patients in the final phase of dementia was moderate. Conclusion In this small sample, patients in the final phase of dementia show specific behavioural problems, that mainly should be addressed with psychosocial interventions. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Prevalence of neuropsychiatric symptoms in a large sample of Dutch nursing home patients with dementiaINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRY, Issue 7 2007Sytse U. Zuidema Abstract Objective To estimate the prevalence of neuropsychiatric symptoms of dementia patients in Dutch nursing homes. Methods Cross-sectional study in a large sample of 1322 demented patients living in 59 dementia special care units (SCUs) in The Netherlands. Symptoms were observed by licensed vocational nurses during regular care-giving in a 2-week observational period prior to assessment. Neuropsychiatric symptoms were assessed using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory- Nursing home version (NPI-NH; frequency X severity score , 4) and the Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory (CMAI; symptoms occurring at least once a week). Results More than 80% of these patients suffered from at least one clinically significant symptom, as defined with the NPI-NH frequency X severity score , 4. Measured with the NPH-NH agitation/aggression, apathy and irritability were the most frequently observed behaviors, with prevalences of 30,35%. Using the CMAI, 85% of the patients showed at least one symptom of agitation, of which general restlessness was observed most frequently (44%). Other frequently observed symptoms with prevalence rates of 30% were cursing or verbal aggression, constant request for attention, negativism, repetitious sentences, mannerisms, pacing, and complaining. Physically aggressive symptoms such as hitting, kicking, biting occurred less often (less than 13%). Conclusions Prevalence rates of neuropsychiatric symptoms in Dutch nursing home patients with dementia residing in SCUs are high, especially agitation and apathy. Insight into the prevalence rates of individual symptoms in patients with dementia has important practical consequences for the accurate planning of staff allotment and stresses the need for patient oriented care. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Is Dementia Special Care Really Special?JOURNAL OF AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY, Issue 2 2008A New Look at an Old Question OBJECTIVES: To quantify differences in care provided to nursing home (NH) residents with dementia living on and off dementia special care units (SCUs). DESIGN: Cross-sectional study using propensity score adjustment for resident and NH characteristics. SETTING: Free-standing NHs in nonrural U.S. counties that had an SCU in 2004 (N=1,896). PARTICIPANTS: Long-stay (,90 days) NH residents with a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease or dementia and at least moderate cognitive impairment (N=69,131). MEASUREMENTS: Resident-level NH care processes such as physical restraints, bed rails, feeding tubes, psychotropic medications, and incontinence care. RESULTS: There was no difference in the use of physical restraints (adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=0.94, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.79,1.11), but SCU residents were less likely to have had bed rails (AOR=0.55, 95% CI=0.46,0.64) and to have been tube fed (AOR=0.36, 95% CI=0.30,0.43). SCU residents were more likely to be on toileting plans (AOR=1.23, 95% CI=1.08,1.39) and less likely to use pads or briefs in the absence of a toileting plan (AOR=0.73, 95% CI=0.61,0.88). SCU residents were more likely to have received psychotropic medications (AOR=1.23, 95% CI=1.05,1.44), primarily antipsychotics (SCU=44.9% vs non-SCU=30.0%). CONCLUSION: SCU residents received different care than comparable non-SCU residents. Most strikingly, SCU residents had greater use of antipsychotic medications. [source] Work stress and physical assault of nursing aides in rural nursing homes with and without dementia special care unitsJOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRIC & MENTAL HEALTH NURSING, Issue 3 2005D. G. MORGAN phd rn Purpose:, This study compared nursing aides (NAs) employed in rural nursing homes with and without dementia special care units (SCUs) on (1) exposure to and distress from disruptive behaviours exhibited by residents, (2) job strain and (3) physical assault. Design and methods:, The data were drawn from a larger study conducted in Saskatchewan, Canada, in which all rural nursing homes of ,,100 beds that had an SCU were matched to same-sized rural facilities with no SCU. Nursing aides (n = 355) completed a mailed survey questionnaire. Results:, Nursing aides employed in nursing homes with an SCU reported significantly less frequent exposure to disruptive behaviours (including aggressive and aversive behaviours) than NAs in non-SCU facilities, less distress when these behaviours were directed toward them, less exposure to aggressive behaviour during caregiving, lower job demands and lower job strain. There was a trend toward increased risk of being assaulted in the last year associated with being in a non-SCU facility. Having a permanent position, increased job strain, and feeling inadequately prepared for dementia care were significantly associated with higher risk of being assaulted. In the SCU facilities, NAs who worked more time on the SCU reported more assaults but less distress from disruptive behaviour, lower psychological job demands, lower job strain and greater work autonomy. Implications:, Providing more dementia care training and reducing job demands and job strain may help to reduce work-related stress and physical assault of nursing aides employed in nursing homes. [source] | ||||||||||