Chronic disease management and dementia: a qualitative study of knowledge and needs of staff.

Effective self-management is the cornerstone of chronic disease self-management. However, self-management of chronic disease in patients with comorbid dementia is particularly challenging. It is vital that clinicians, patients and carers work collaboratively to tailor self-management programs to each patient with dementia. This study aimed to identify barriers and facilitators of successful self-management in the context of cognitive impairment in order to optimise the capacity for self-management for persons with dementia (PWD). A qualitative study based on semistructured interviews was conducted in Victoria, Australia. Interviews were conducted with 12 people (employed in the ambulatory and dementia care sectors), representing six health services. Participants identified a healthcare system that is complex, not dementia friendly and not accommodating the needs of PWD who have comorbidities. Individual and systemic barriers contributed to ineffective self-management. Chronic disease support programs do not routinely undertake cognitive assessment or have guidelines for modified management approaches for those with cognitive impairment. Support needs to be long-term and requires a specialised skillset that recognises not only chronic disease management, but also the effect of cognition on self-management. Although formal guidelines are needed, care also needs to be tailored to individual cognitive abilities and deficits.

The impact of cognitive impairment on self-management in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the characteristics of persons with cognitive impairment being able to self-manage in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). METHODS: In accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidance this systematic review examined all studies in English from 1st January 2000 to 20 February 2016, describing the relationship between cognition and COPD self-management domains in older community dwelling persons with dementia or cognitive impairment. RESULTS: Of 4474 studies identified, thirteen studies were eligible for inclusion. No studies differentiated populations into recognized dementia subtypes. Study aims were variable; most (n = 7) examined inhaler competency alone. Studies identified a link between worsening cognition and the need for assistance in activities of daily living. Only one study evaluated the impact of cognition on overall self-management and found no association between cognitive impairment and self-rated self-management. Mild degrees of cognitive impairment were associated with reduced symptom recall. Cognitive impairment in COPD was associated with high degrees of inhaler incompetency. Basic cognitive screening tests were able to predict inhaler incompetence with reduced overall cognitive function, dyspraxia, and/or executive function identified as predictors of incompetency. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple measures of disability consistently demonstrated that cognitive impairment in COPD significantly increased the need for assistance in many aspects of daily living, treatment adherence, and effective self-management. Given the nature of neuropsychological deficits seen in COPD, dedicated screening tools are required. Future research should investigate the impact of cognitive dysfunction in COPD and identify how to support those that lack capacity to self-manage.