ABSTRACT
Patients with cognitive impairment have paid a heavy price for the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Their clinical characteristics and their place of life made them particularly exposed to being infected and suffering from severe forms. The repercussions of the isolation measures also had significant repercussions on the expression of their neuropsychiatric symptoms and the burden on families and health care professionals.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Cognitive Dysfunction , Coronavirus , Aged , Cognitive Dysfunction/diagnosis , Health Personnel , Humans , PandemicsABSTRACT
Talking about sexuality of the elderly remains a taboo in our society. However, care given in a Cognitive and Behavioural Unit to people with major neurocognitive disorders can led health professionals to being confronted with sexuality of patients. We discuss about elements that distinguish sexual behavioural disorders, including ability to consent to sexuality, as well as elements useful in care of innapropriate sexual behaviours.
Subject(s)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy , Hospital Units , Hospitalization , Sexuality , Aged , HumansABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: In France, the Alzheimer Plan 2008-2012 has enabled the development of units specialized in managing the behavioural and psychological disorders found in cognitive pathologies, with an emphasis on both pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments. The aim of this study was to analyze the evolution of behavioural symptoms, autonomy, and psychotropic drug prescriptions at a cognitive and behavioural unit in Toulouse, France. METHODS: Prospective study, with systematic analyze of data for patients hospitalized in a cognitive and behavioral unit. RESULTS: This 2-year study included 199 patients. Behavioural symptoms were significantly improved during the follow-up period and remained so after discharge. Autonomy, especially in walking, was not altered. The prescription of psychotropic drugs, such as neuroleptics, was significantly lower at discharge. CONCLUSION: This study showed the effectiveness of overall care, with an emphasis on pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments, in managing disruptive behavioural symptoms in a specialized unit.
Subject(s)
Antipsychotic Agents/therapeutic use , Behavioral Symptoms/drug therapy , Dementia/psychology , Activities of Daily Living , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Dementia/drug therapy , Drug Prescriptions/statistics & numerical data , Female , France , Humans , Male , Prospective Studies , Psychotropic Drugs/therapeutic use , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
UNLABELLED: The project "Plan Alzheimer 2008-2012" allowed the development of units specialized in management of behavioral disorders in dementia, by favoring pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches. OBJECTIVES: Our article analyses the evolution of behavioral symptoms, autonomy and prescription of psychotropic drugs, in "Cognitive and Behavioral Unit" of Toulouse (France). Second outcome is the analysis of early unplanned readmission for behavioral reasons. RESULTS: 199 patients are included over 2 years of study. Behavioral symptoms are significantly improved during the follow-up with a persistent effect after discharge. The global autonomy, particular for walking, is not altered. The prescriptions of psychotropics, among others antipsychotics, is significantly lower at discharge. Early unplanned readmissions at hospital, in spite of cognitive disorders of our patients, are not more important than in global geriatric population. CONCLUSION: We show the efficiency of global care in behavioral disruptive symptoms in dementia, favoring non pharmacological approaches, in specialized units. Those cognitive and behavioral units have a role for care of demented patients with behavioral disruptive symptoms.
