In class work 2/6-2/8

In Class Exercise 2/6 – 2/8 #1 1. Buntix, F., De Lepeive, J., Paquay, L., Iliffe, S., & Schoenmakers, B. (2011). Diagnosing dementia: no easy job. BMC Family Practice. 2. RCT 3. They used RCT theory to try and give a formal diagnosis for someone who thinks they have the early signs of dementia. There are observational scales that can be used to help make this determination. This method seems to be the best to determine whether or not this person has the disease. There are some solid facts about dementia that are discussed in the journal. Some facts about dementia are it’s hard to diagnose. Diagnosis is a linear process, and it judges cognitive deterioration. Classic memory problems were not the first to be noticed. Care is more important than cure. People seem to live an average of 5 years after diagnosis (2). 4. This method helped them determine whether or not the person in question had the start of dementia or not. There is a four step diagnosis created. The four steps are trigger, disease orientated diagnosis, care-oriented diagnosis, and carer assessment. Last but not least, monitoring is very important. 5. I found it interesting that: • Dementia isn’t easy to determine if a person has early stages of dementia. I thought it would be an easy process. I was surprised and interested to find out it wasn’t. • There are a number of assessment methods • Physicians use clock drawing contests • The early warning signs are subtle #2 1. Draper, B., & Withall, A. (2016). Young onset dementia. Internal Medicine Journal, 46(7), 779-786. 2. Case Control 3. They used this method to analyze young onset dementia (YOD), where symptoms of dementia have an onset before the age of 65. Young onset dementia has become more prominent due to the population increase from the Baby Boomer generation. This clinical perspective examines key issues in the assessment, diagnosis and management of YOD. Challenges in the assessment and diagnosis of YOD are partly due to the diverse range of types of YOD, where degenerative dementias are less common and secondary dementias more common than in late onset dementia. Early symptoms are broad and include depression, behavioral change, neurological disorders, systemic disorders and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Perceived diagnostic delay may result in frustration and distress in people with YOD and their families. Chronic depression and MCI make diagnosis difficult. It’s important for clinicians need to communicate clearly and create a good review process. 4. The conclusion of the study is there are obstacles for clinicians when it comes to diagnosing dementia in people 65 years and younger. There has been an increase of public concern regarding young onset dementia. The case control theory enabled the team to analyze the data collected to shed light onto this disease proving it is no easy task when it comes to the actual diagnosis of young onset dementia. Their research shows that YOD may have consequences for a younger person, including early retirement, financial impacts and the psychological challenge of coming to grips with cognitive decline. They discuss that partners, children and other supporters often have unmet needs, feel burdened by care and are at high risk of physical and emotional consequences. Concerns about the heritability of dementia may add to family distress (782). 5. Something I found interesting was if you are 65 years or younger and have early signs of dementia, it is called young onset dementia (YOD). #3 1. Weatherhead, I., & Courtney, C. (2012). Assessing the signs of dementia. Practice Nursing, 23(3), 114-118. 2. Grounded Theory 3. The authors used this theory by doing qualitative research, collecting the data from tests, and interviewing patients and their loved ones. There are specific tests that individuals will take to help determine if they have the disease or not. Grounded Theory helped them determine if certain individuals were actually showing signs of having the early onset of dementia or not. They explained that dementia is an “umbrella” term used to describe organic brain diseases, which affects thinking and memory (cognition). They chose this method because it seems to be the most accurate one due to the analysis involved in determining if a person has early signs of dementia. Process and elimination play key roles in diagnosing. 4. They concluded that 1 in 3 people will die with a form of dementia. They used this method to determine the most typical symptoms of dementia, which includes loss of memory (forgetting your way home from stores) or forgetting people’s names and places. Certain mood changes like being scared or getting really angry all of a sudden are symptoms of dementia too. Deep sadness plays a big part in the mood changes for patients that either have the beginning stages of dementia or have full blown dementia. Communications problems, like lack of communication (silence). Communication problems, e.g. a decline in the ability to talk, read and write. It has been estimated that there may be as many as 200 different types of dementia (116). The most common forms of dementia are: • Alzheimer’s disease • Vascular dementia • Mixed dementia, which has characteristics of both vascular and Alzheimer’s • Dementia with Lewy bodies • Fronto-temporal dementia (Pick’s disease). 5. I found it interesting that per the Department of Health, it costs the U.S. roughly 8.2 billion dollars a year for social care when it comes to the treatment of dementia. I also had no idea that there are so many different forms of dementia. #4 1. Jenkins, N., Keyes, S., & Strange, L. (2016). Creating vignettes of early onset dementia: An exercise in public sociology. Sociology, 50(1). 2. Participatory Action 3. The authors chose the PAR because it was the perfect tool for data collection, by using particular individuals in the research, where the information collected would inadvertently improve their own lives. This type of theory might help improve the lives of the individuals who are suffering from EOD (Early Onset Dementia). They help themselves by participating in this action. Vignettes are defined as a technique used for data collection by performing short hypothetical scenarios involving fictitious protagonists and situations (79). 4. They conclude that this type of method helps improve the lives of people suffering from EOD. These Sociologists feel that by the patients actually acting out (performing) skits from their everyday lives might help improve their lives. Vignettes are a relatively new addition to the qualitative paradigm (80). Their studies have shown that drama workshops have a better result than focus groups. By acting out their everyday life experience, helped them better understand what they are experiencing and give them some insight on how to improve certain situations, which might make their lives a little easier. 5. I found this type of action being effective, interesting. I would think by just giving cognitive tests would be the only way to deal with this disease. I never thought that by acting out certain situations would make their lives easier. #5 1. Kua, Ee H., Ho, E., & Tan, H. (2014). The natural history of dementia. Psychogeriatrics, 14(3), 196-201. 2. Policy 3. The policy method used helped health policy-makers better understand the course of dementia. Understanding the course of dementia is important not only for patients, caregivers, and health professionals, but also for health policy-makers. Health policy-makers have to plan for national resources needed in the management of an increasing number of dementia cases. Not enough resources would mean some people might suffer, since they weren’t able to get the help that they need to cope with the disease. At the various phases of the disease, the demand on health-care services and economic costs are different (196). 4. In conclusion, since using the policy method, which is a high-level overall plan embracing the general goals and acceptable procedures, helps in the detection of mild dementia. This is important because presumed medications and psychological interventions are more responsive in the early phase (200). Interventional strategies in psychosocial therapy, diet, and stability of chronic illnesses, such diabetes mellitus and hyper-tension, are critical in lowering the rates of dementia. Such therapeutic measures will also improve the quality of life of elderly individuals and prevent a rapid decline of cognitive functions. 5. The one thing I found interesting is that other chronic illnesses like diabetes and high blood pressure can affect a person in a way that could cause the onset of dementia.