The impact of a hospital-based special care unit on behavioural and psychological symptoms in older people living with dementia.

BACKGROUND: Hospital patients with behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) are vulnerable to a range of adverse outcomes. Hospital-based Special Care Units (SCUs) are secure dementia-enabling environments providing specialised gerontological care. Due to a scarcity of research, their value remains unconfirmed. OBJECTIVE: To compare hospital based SCU management of BPSD with standard care. DESIGN: Single-case multiple baseline design. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: One-hundred admissions to an 8-bed SCU over 2 years in a large Australian public hospital. METHODS: Repeated measures of BPSD severity were undertaken prospectively by specialist dementia nurses for patients admitted to a general ward (standard care) and transferred to the SCU. Demographic and other clinical data, including diagnoses, medication use, and care-related outcomes were obtained from medical records retrospectively. Analysis used multilevel models to regress BPSD scores onto care-setting outcomes, adjusting for time and other factors. RESULTS: When receiving standard care, patients' BPSD severity was 6.8 (95% CI 6.04-7.64) points higher for aggression, 15.6 (95% CI 13.90-17.42) points higher for the neuropsychiatric inventory, and 5.8 (95% CI 5.14-6.50) points higher for non-aggressive agitation compared to SCU. Patients receiving standard care also experienced increased odds for patient-to-nurse violence (OR 2.61, 95% CI 1.67-4.09), security callouts (OR 5.39 95% CI 3.40-8.52), physical restraint (OR 17.20, 95% CI 7.94-37.25) and antipsychotic administration (OR 3.41, 95% CI 1.60-7.24). CONCLUSION: Clinically significant reductions in BPSD and psychotropic administration were associated with SCU care relative to standard ward care. These results suggest more robust investigation of hospital SCUs, and dementia-enabling design are warranted.

Study protocol: randomized controlled trial of an individualized music intervention for people with dementia in the home care setting.

BACKGROUND: Studies suggest that individualized music listening is an effective, non-pharmacological intervention for improving the quality of life of people with dementia in the institutional care setting. Noting that most people with dementia live at home, we conduct a randomized controlled trial to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of an app-based individualized music listening intervention for people with dementia in the home care setting. The intervention is delivered by family caregivers. METHODS: We will recruit N = 130 dyads consisting of one person with dementia living at home and their family caregiver. After a baseline assessment, dyads are randomly assigned by gender to either the intervention or control group. People with dementia in the intervention group listen to individualized music playlists for 20 min every other day for six weeks via the self-developed Individualized Music and Dementia app. The control group receives standard care. All dyads complete paper-and-pencil questionnaires six weeks before the start of the intervention (T0), directly before the intervention (T1), directly after the intervention (T2), and six weeks later (T3). During the intervention period, all caregivers also complete daily ecological momentary assessments via the app. During three home visits, a trained project member will observe the dyads and collect hair samples. After the intervention, semi-structured interviews will be conducted to collect information about participants' experiences with the app and intervention. The primary outcome is the attainment of individual goals established during the baseline assessment. Secondary outcomes are the well-being, physiological stress and quality of life of people with dementia and their caregivers; people with dementia's behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia, resistance during care, and reactions to the music; caregivers' burden of care, positive aspects of care, and caregiving self-efficacy; and the quality of the caregiver-care recipient interaction. DISCUSSION: Our study will assess the extent to which an app-based individualized music listening intervention is feasible and effective for enhancing the well-being and quality of life of people with dementia living at home and their family caregivers. TRIAL REGISTRATION: German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00025502 and ISRCTN registry ISRCTN68084105, https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN68084105.

Designing an mHealth application for informal carers concerning the management of behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia: a need analysis survey.

BACKGROUND: Informal carers face difficulties and challenges when dealing with the behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) of their family members or friends residing at home. Mobile health (mHealth) applications are promising for educating and supporting carers. However, needs analysis studies have not been conducted in Sri Lanka to develop mHealth applications for informal carers of people with dementia. AIMS: To explore the needs to design an mHealth application for informal carers of people with dementia concerning the management of BPSD. METHOD: An exploratory cross-sectional survey was conducted among a convenience sample (N = 203) of informal carers as a part of developing an mHealth application. Family members, relatives, or friends who lived with people with dementia and provided care on an unpaid basis for more than three months were included. The questionnaire included sociodemographic data, carer-rated prevalence and severity of BPSD, and informal carers' knowledge of dementia, carer burden, information-seeking sources, availability of smartphones, mHealth information seeking and perception of mHealth information seeking related to managing BPSD. Descriptive analysis and inferential tests were performed. RESULTS: Informal carers of people with dementia were predominantly female (70.4%), and 64% showed low knowledge of dementia. Of the participants, 35% reported a high carer burden, 53.7% reported a low burden, and only 11.3% reported no carer burden. Most of their care recipients (97%) had at least one BPSD. The prevalence and severity of BPSD were significantly and positively correlated with the carer burden. The participants' main source of information was health professionals. Most of them owned smartphones (63.5%), but none used mHealth applications for dementia-related information seeking. Approximately half of the respondents were ready to spend time (52.7%) and money (46.8%) on mHealth information seeking. Perceived mHealth usefulness was significantly associated with dementia knowledge, smartphone ownership, and readiness to spend time and money on mHealth information seeking. CONCLUSION: Informal carers of people with dementia were affected by BPSD in their care recipients. This study explored carers' educational needs concerning dementia, BPSD, and carer burden. Informal carers could adapt mHealth for dementia-related information seeking. Their unmet needs in managing BPSD should be explored.

An organisation working mainly reactively instead of proactively: a qualitative study of how frail users of home care services and their next of kin experience crises.

BACKGROUND: Frail people receiving home care services face an increased risk of developing crisis, which can result in adverse events, coercive measures, and acute institutionalisation. The prevalence of frailty is expected to increase due to the ageing population in most countries. However, our knowledge of the process leading to crises among frail community-dwelling patients remains limited. The aim of our study was to explore how users of home care services and their next of kin experienced crises and how these crises were approached by home care services. METHODS: A qualitative explorative design with 21 interviews was conducted. We explored crises within the last year that had led to an acute institutionalisation (hospital or nursing home) or to an unstable situation with high risk of institutionalisation. Systematic text condensation (STC) was used to analyse the data. RESULTS: Our findings are summarised into one overarching theme; an organisation working mainly reactively instead of proactively, which is supported by four subthemes: (1) insufficient communication-a determinant of crises, (2) the lack of a holistic approach, (3) a sense of being a burden, and (4) the complexity of crises. The reactive approach is demonstrated in the participant's experience of insufficient communication and the lack of a holistic approach from the service, but also in the user's sense of being a burden, which seems to be reinforced by the experienced busyness from the staff in the home care services. This reactive approach to crises seems to have contributed to difficulties in detecting the various stressors involved in the complex process leading to crisis. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that home care services tend to be characterised by a reactive approach to rising instability and the development of crises for users. This can be interpreted as an emergent property of the organisation and the adaptation towards exceeding demands due to insufficient capacity in health care services. We recommend the use of multicomponent care programmes comprising interdisciplinary case conferences in home care services to implement a cultural change that can shift the service from a reactive, fragmented, and task-oriented approach to a more proactive approach.

Neurocognitive Disorders: Medical Illness or Mental Disorder: Examining the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022 (Vic) Using Neurocognitive Disorders.

Victoria has new legislation, the Mental Health and Wellbeing Act 2022 (Vic) (MHWA) to govern the care and treatment of people with mental illness that came into effect on 1 September 2023. It takes a human rights approach with a focus on person-centred care. The definition of mental illness encompasses conditions such as dementia even though it is rarely used to manage such conditions. How would the management of dementia and associated conditions change if these conditions were managed under the MHWA? This article uses dementia to examine the differences between the new MHWA, the Medical Treatment Planning and Decisions Act 2016 (Vic) and the Guardianship and Administration Act 2019 (Vic) and how the human rights approach taken by the MHWA might inform future directions in managing dementia.

A short staff training system for behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia in care facilities, based on functional analysis and positive behaviour support: a single-arm pre- and post-comparative study.

BACKGROUND: Work schedules can make it challenging for professional care workers to participate in long-term training programs on managing behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). Simultaneously, it is necessary to prevent caregivers' negative responses to BPSD, provide a positive environment for people with dementia, and create a system for new management plans, since the initial one is often unsuccessful. Therefore, we developed a short manual-based training system for functional analysis including positive behaviour support and strategies when management plans do not function well. This study aimed to preliminarily examine the usefulness of this system. METHODS: Thirty-five staff members from 12 care facilities participated in the training. For each facility, off-the-job training was performed in two 120-min sessions held over 2 days. Then, care plans were implemented by staff members for a month, during which on-the-job training was provided. The study included 14 people with dementia and BPSD. This was a single-arm study without a control group. Pre- and post-tests were conducted to examine the effects of the training system using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory-Nursing Home Version. RESULTS: The results of the pre- and post-tests for the total scores on severity and occupational disruptiveness significantly improved, with large effect sizes. Regarding symptom domains, delusions, agitation/aggression, and aberrant motor behaviour significantly improved in both severity and occupational disruptiveness. Depression/dysphoria and anxiety significantly improved in severity; however, there were trends of improvement in occupational disruptiveness. In addition, the effect sizes for severity and occupational disruptiveness of delusions and agitation/aggression were large. CONCLUSIONS: This preliminary study suggests that the training system is promising. A randomised controlled trial with a larger sample size is necessary to confirm the findings.

Staff Training Interventions to Prevent or Reduce Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia in Nursing Home Residents: A Mixed Methods Systematic Review.

INTRODUCTION: Nursing home (NH) staff mention knowledge deficits regarding the management of behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSDs) in residents with neurocognitive disorders (NCDs). Staff training therefore appears to be necessary. However, existing evidence on best training practices and their outcomes remains scattered. This systematic review aimed to (1) identify the best clinical practices and theoretical bases of staff training interventions on BPSD management in NHs and (2) summarize the effects of these interventions on resident and staff outcomes. METHODS: A mixed methods systematic review was conducted. Two nurse researchers independently searched nine electronic databases to identify studies on the efficacy of staff training interventions aimed at BPSD management in NHs, on a variety of resident and staff outcomes. The search was conducted for articles published between 1996 and 2022, using selected keywords, MeSH terms, and predefined eligibility criteria. The methodological quality of the retrieved studies was assessed using JBI checklists. RESULTS: Overall, 39 studies in 47 articles were included. Ten categories of trainings were identified, of which three demonstrated the most promising results on both residents and staff: (1) structured protocols and models, (2) person-centred bathing, and (3) communication techniques. The methodological quality of the retrieved studies was generally weak. Issues with intervention feasibility and reproducibility were also noted. CONCLUSION: Training interventions incorporating structured protocols and models, person-centred bathing, and communication techniques are associated with better staff and resident outcomes. However, there is a strong need for high-quality research to strengthen existing evidence and ensure feasibility and reproducibility.

The Acceptability and Usefulness of Positive Behaviour Support Education for Family Carers of People With Frontotemporal Dementia: A Pilot Study.

AIM: This pilot study investigated the acceptability and usefulness of 4 weekly Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) education sessions (delivered face-to-face and online) for family carers of individuals diagnosed with behavioural-variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD). These sessions were adapted from the Family-directed Approach to Brain injury (FAB)-PBS program to the FTD population. METHODS: A pre-test post-test mixed-methods design was utilized. Primary outcome measures included a Carer Confidence questionnaire and post-intervention Feedback Questionnaire. Assessments were conducted prior to the 4-week education program, immediately following the final session and a 3 months follow-up. RESULTS: Ten family carers completed the 4 PBS education sessions and indicated that the program was helpful in providing behaviour support. No significant changes in confidence ratings were found before and following the education sessions. A majority of participants, however, reported positive changes to their approach in providing behaviour support, with key themes including 'recognising the function of behaviour', 'changing their own behaviour' and 'promoting a calmer approach'. CONCLUSIONS: The FAB-PBS education sessions demonstrate to be an acceptable approach to increasing the capability of family carers in providing behaviour support to individuals with FTD, which will need to be confirmed in a larger feasibility study.

Trends in the use of psychotropics in older people with dementia: interrupted time series of Finnish clinical guidelines of behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia.

BACKGROUND: Up to 90% of people with dementia experience behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) as part of their illness. Psychotropics are not recommended as the first-line treatment of BPSD because older people are more prone to adverse reactions. In this study, we evaluate the impact of the Finnish clinical guidelines of BPSD (published in 2017) on psychotropic use in people with dementia. METHODS: This study is based on Finnish Prescription Register data from 2009 to 2020. The data included all community-dwelling Finnish people aged ≥65 and who had anti-dementia medication purchases (n = 217,778). We used three-phased interrupted time series design to evaluate the changes in levels and trends of monthly (n = 144) psychotropic user rates compared with the predicted trends. In addition, we evaluated the changes in levels and trends of monthly new psychotropic user rates. RESULTS: The level of monthly psychotropic user rate decreased non-significantly during the intervention period (ß -0.057, P = 0.853), and during the post-intervention period, there was an increase in the level (ß 0.443, P = 0.091) and slope (ß 0.199, P = 0.198), but not statistically significant. The level of monthly new psychotropic user rate (ß -0.009, P = 0.949) during the intervention period and the level (ß 0.044, P = 0.714) and slope (ß 0.021, P = 0.705) during the post-intervention period were almost unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: Results may indicate possible challenges in deprescribing and better adherence to the guidelines at the beginning of BPSD treatment. Further research into the barriers to implement BPSD guidelines and the availability of non-pharmacological treatments is needed.

Distinguishing apathy and depression in dementia: A longitudinal study.

OBJECTIVES: Apathy is a common symptom in dementia, though can be difficult to distinguish from depression due to shared features and frequent co-occurrence. As such, a significant limitation of much previous research on apathy is the failure to control for depression. The current study sought to address this by examining the trajectory and clinical correlates of apathy after controlling for depression. METHODS: Seven hundred and seventy-nine patients with dementia were recruited from nine memory clinics around Australia. Measures of dementia severity, cognition, functional ability, neuropsychiatric symptoms, caregiver burden and medication use were completed at baseline and at regular intervals over a 3-year period. Driving and institutionalisation data were obtained throughout the study. Mortality data were obtained from state registries 8 years after baseline. RESULTS: Of the 662 patients with completed measures of neuropsychiatric symptoms, 342 (51.7%) had apathy and 332 (50.2%) had depression at baseline, while 212 (32.0%) had both. Whereas apathy increased over time, depression remained relatively stable. Apathy, but not depression, was associated with greater dementia severity, poorer cognition and function, driving cessation and mortality. Both apathy and depression were associated with greater neuropsychiatric symptoms, psychosis, caregiver burden and institutionalisation. CONCLUSIONS: Apathy increases over the course of dementia and is associated with worse clinical outcomes independent of depression. Distinguishing apathy and depression appears important given their different implications for prognosis and management.

Traditional Chinese medicine Jia Wei Gui Pi Tang improves behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia and favourable positive emotions in patients.

BACKGROUND: Behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) are challenging to manage, leading to caregiver burden and often to subsequent transfer of patients to a nursing home or psychiatric hospital for treatment. Eliciting favourable positive emotions should be an important goal in the treatment of negative emotions associated with BPSD. To date, no data have indicated that antipsychotic medications can improve positive emotions. BPSD are known to be associated with anxiety in patients with dementia. The traditional Chinese medicine Jia Wei Gui Pi Tang is officially indicated and approved for anxiety treatment in Japan. METHODS: Here, we performed a multicentre, randomised, observer-blind control study of the effect of Jia Wei Gui Pi Tang on BPSD in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. Patients with AD or AD with cerebral vascular disease were randomly divided into the Jia Wei Gui Pi Tang treatment group and the control group that received no traditional Chinese medicine. BPSD were scored using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Nursing Home Version (NPI-NH) and by favourable positive emotions using the Delightful Emotional Index (DEI). RESULTS: A total of 63 participants (18 male and 45 female; mean age: 83.3 ± 6.0 years) were included in the study. Changes in NPI-NH scores differed significantly between the two groups (one-way analysis of variance, P < 0.001). Within the treatment group, there was a significant improvement in the NPI-NH score from 29.8 ± 17.3 at baseline to 13.2 ± 9.4 at the endpoint (paired t-test, P < 0.001), whereas there was no statistically significant change in the control group. Changes in DEI scores differed significantly between the two groups. Within the treatment group, there was a significant improvement in the DEI score from 24.3 ± 23.0 at baseline to 32.5 ± 21.2 at the endpoint (paired t-test, P = 0.001), whereas there was no statistically significant change in the control group. CONCLUSION: The traditional Chinese medicine Jia Wei Gui Pi Tang significantly improved both BPSD and positive emotions.

Non-pharmacological, psychosocial MAKS-s intervention for people with severe dementia in nursing homes: results of a cluster-randomised trial.

BACKGROUND: Severe dementia is one of the most challenging conditions when caring for people in nursing homes. A manualised non-pharmacological, psychosocial group intervention especially adapted to the needs of people with severe dementia (PWSDs) is currently still lacking. To close this gap, we adapted the evidence-based multicomponent non-pharmacological MAKS intervention (Motor stimulation, ADL stimulation, Cognitive [german: Kognitive] stimulation, and Social functioning in a group setting) to the special needs of PWSDs called the MAKS-s intervention, where the s stands for severe dementia. METHODS: In a prospective, multicentre, cluster-randomised trial with a waitlist control group design, 26 nursing homes comprising 152 PWSDs were randomly assigned to either the MAKS-s intervention group (IG) or control group (CG) - 121 PWSDs were still alive after the 6-month intervention period (t6) and included in the intention-to-treat (ITT) sample. The two primary outcomes, behavioural and psychological symptoms (BPSDs, measured with NPI-NH) and quality of life (QoL, measured with QUALIDEM), and the secondary outcome, activities of daily living (ADLs, measured with ADCS-ADL-sev), were assessed at baseline (t0) and at t6. Mixed ANOVAs were computed to investigate possible effects of the MAKS-s intervention on the outcomes. RESULTS: In the ITT sample, BPSDs and QoL did not change significantly over time, and group assignment did not affect them, although the IG participants had significantly better overall QoL than the CG participants. ADLs decreased significantly over time, but group assignment did not affect them. Analyses in the per protocol (PP) sample showed comparable results, with the exception that the IG participants showed a significantly greater increase in BPSDs than the CG participants did. DISCUSSION: Under the situational conditions of the Covid-19 pandemic, no beneficial effects of the MAKS-s intervention on BPSDs, QoL, or ADLs were observed. This finding also means that under 'normal circumstances' (i.e., if there had been no pandemic), we could not make any statements about the effect or non-effect of MAKS-s. In order to be able to address the hypotheses formulated here, the study will have to be repeated incorporating helpful experiences of the present study. TRIAL REGISTRATION: https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN15722923 (Registered prospectively, 07. August 2019).

Factors influencing the implementation of person-centred care in nursing homes by practice development champions: a qualitative process evaluation of a cluster-randomised controlled trial (EPCentCare) using Normalization Process Theory.

BACKGROUND: Person-centred care (PCC) has been suggested as the preferred model of dementia care in all settings. The EPCentCare study showed that an adapted PCC approach was difficult to implement and had no effect on prescription of antipsychotics in nursing home residents in Germany. This paper reports the qualitative process evaluation to identify facilitators and barriers of the implementation of PCC in German nursing homes from the perspective of participating practice development champions. METHODS: Five individual and 14 group interviews were conducted with 66 participants (staff and managers) from 18 nursing homes. The analysis was based on inductive coding to identify factors influencing the PCC implementation process. Identified factors were systematised and structured by mapping them to the four constructs (coherence, cognitive participation, collective action, reflexive monitoring) of the Normalization Process Theory (NPT) as a framework that explains implementation processes. RESULTS: Facilitating implementation factors included among others broadening of the care perspective (coherence), tolerance development within the care team regarding challenging behaviour (cognitive participation), testing new approaches to solutions as a multi-professional team (collective action), and perception of effects of PCC measures (reflexive monitoring). Among the facilitating factors reported in all the NPT constructs, thus affecting the entire implementation process, were the involvement of relatives, multi-professional teamwork and effective collaboration with physicians. Barriers implied uncertainties about the implementation and expectation of a higher workload (coherence), concerns about the feasibility of PCC implementation in terms of human resources (cognitive participation), lack of a person-centred attitude by colleagues or the institution (collective action), and doubts about the effects of PCC (reflexive monitoring). Barriers influencing the entire implementation process comprised insufficient time resources, lack of support, lack of involvement of the multi-professional team, and difficulties regarding communication with the attending physicians. CONCLUSIONS: The findings provide a comprehensive and detailed overview of facilitators and barriers structured along the implementation process. Thus, our findings may assist both researchers and clinicians to develop and reflect more efficiently on PCC implementation processes in nursing homes. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02295462 ; November 20, 2014.

Hippocampal calcification and its effects on cognitive function and symptoms in dementia.

BACKGROUND: Hippocampal calcification (HC), highly prevalent in older people, has not attracted attention until recently. Despite its potential effects on cognition and behaviour, and its possible impact on the diagnosis and severity of dementia, it has not been investigated. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of HC and its influence on cognition and behavioural symptoms in patients with dementia. METHODS: Data from consecutive patients who visited a medical centre for dementia, for the first time between April 2016 and September 2018, were extracted and analysed. These data included the patients' demographics, the presence of HC and hippocampal thickness as measured on computed tomography, the diagnosis of dementia and its type, cognitive function measured using the Mini-Mental State Examination and the Clock Drawing Test, and the chief complaints or symptoms prompting the visit. RESULTS: A high incidence of HC (85/267 patients) was observed. There was no significant difference in the ages of patients with and without HC. Patients with HC had higher cognitive function than those without HC at their first visit. This result was contrary to our expectations as it was not explained by the chief complaints recorded at the first visit. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed a high prevalence of HC in older patients with dementia. Patients with HC had better cognitive function than did those without HC during their first hospital visit. This study suggests that HC may not affect the cognitive functions related to dementia. However, further research is needed to evaluate the long-term consequences of dementia with HC.

Behavioural and psychological symptoms of early-onset and late-onset Alzheimer's disease among Chinese adults: analysis of modifiable factors.

BACKGROUND: To conduct a comprehensive comparison of behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) in Chinese people with early-onset Alzheimer's disease (EOAD) and late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD) and analyse the factors of differences. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of 93 EOAD and100 LOAD and their caregivers in China from November 2018 to May 2019. RESULTS: The total Neuropsychiatric Inventory score was significantly higher in LOAD. A higher level of agitation in EOAD was related to a lower quality of life of caregivers and the emotional expression of ignoring people with dementia. Higher euphoria scores in LOAD were associated with reduced negative coping by caregivers and reduced stability and predictability at home. CONCLUSION: The early identification and management of specific BPSD of EOAD and LOAD by family members and health professionals may improve the quality of care and life for people with dementia and that of caregivers.

Most families tend to realize progress of Alzheimer's disease when behavioural and psychological symptoms are obvious.

BACKGROUND: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a common cognitive disease that can progress at an accelerating rate. Even with early diagnosis, the families might not recognize AD progressing unless behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) develop. In many cases, discrepancies could exist between family-assessed AD stage and diagnosed AD stage. This study explored such discrepancies and potential clinical implications. METHODS: Participants were 161 new outpatients with AD or mild cognitive impairment at four memory clinics whose AD stage was diagnosed using the Revised Hasegawa Dementia Scale (HDS-R) and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). We classified patients into four groups according to AD severity. Family members completed the Functional Assessment Staging (FAST) scale during an interview. We then assigned patients to three groups according to discrepancies between family-assessed and diagnosed AD stage. Families also completed the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire (NPI-Q), which assesses 12 neuropsychiatric domains, in order to examine the presence of BPSD in relation to AD stage. RESULTS: Most families (74%-80%) assessed patients as having milder AD than the diagnosed stage. NPI-Q scores and duration of education significantly affected discrepancies with HDS-R and MMSE scores. The NPI-Q domains of anxiety, apathy/indifference, aberrant motor behaviours, and appetite/eating disturbance significantly affected family-assessed FAST. Families of patients with more years of education assessed the AD stage as more advanced than the diagnosed stage. Surprisingly, living together did not significantly affect the discrepancy. CONCLUSIONS: Most families assessed AD as milder than the clinically diagnosed AD stage. In addition, high NPI-Q scores and more years of school education significantly affected the discrepancy. Family-assessed FAST was significantly affected by the NPI-Q domains of anxiety, apathy/indifference, aberrant motor behaviours, and appetite/eating disturbance. These results suggest that obvious BPSD are significant factors for Japanese families to recognize AD progress.

Neuropsychiatric symptoms in early stage of Alzheimer's and non-Alzheimer's dementia, and the risk of progression to severe dementia.

BACKGROUND: Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPSs) in early dementia have been suggested to predict a higher risk of dementia progression. However, the literature is not yet clear whether the risk is similar across Alzheimer's dementia (AD) and non-Alzheimer's dementia (non-AD), as well as across different NPSs. This study examined the association between NPSs in early dementia and the risk of progression to severe dementia, specifically in AD and non-AD, as well as across various NPSs. METHOD: This cohort study included 7,594 participants who were ≥65 years and had early dementia (global Clinical Dementia Rating [CDR] = 1). Participants completed Neuropsychiatric-Inventory-Questionnaire at baseline and were followed-up almost annually for progression to severe dementia (global CDR = 3) (median follow-up = 3.5 years; interquartile range = 2.1-5.9 years). Cox regression was used to examine progression risk, stratified by AD and non-AD. RESULTS: The presence of NPSs was associated with risk of progression to severe dementia, but primarily in AD (HR 1.4, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.1-1.6) and not in non-AD (HR 0.9, 95% CI: 0.5-1.5). When comparing across various NPSs, seven NPSs in AD were associated with disease progression, and they were depression, anxiety, apathy, delusions, hallucinations, irritability and motor disturbance (HR 1.2-1.6). In contrast, only hallucinations and delusions were associated with disease progression in non-AD (HR 1.7-1.9). CONCLUSIONS: NPSs in early dementia-especially among individuals with AD-can be useful prognostic markers of disease progression. They may inform discussion on advanced care planning and prompt clinical review to incorporate evidence-based interventions that may address disease progression.

Trauma-informed care in geriatric inpatient units to improve staff skills and reduce patient distress: a co-designed study protocol.

BACKGROUND: Geriatric hospital wards are highly medicalised environments with limited opportunities for choice and control, and can be distressing for older survivors of psychological trauma. While trauma-informed models of care (TIC) are effectively applied across mental health and other settings, the utility of these models in aged care settings has not been assessed. The objective of this study was to examine whether TIC can reduce responsive behaviour, chemical restraint, and improve staff skills and patient experiences in inpatient geriatric settings. METHODS: Four wards participated in this type I hybrid implementation-effectiveness study across southern Adelaide, Australia, including 79 beds. Using a co-design method, the principles of TIC were transformed into an implementation strategy including staff training, establishment of highly trained 'champions' on each ward, screening for trauma-related needs, and amending ward policies and procedures. Primary outcomes will be examined using an interrupted time-series design and are monthly incidence of responsive behaviour incidents and use of chemical restraint. Process evaluation will be used to examine secondary, implementation outcomes including the acceptability, feasibility, and fidelity to the implementation strategy. DISCUSSION: Trauma-informed care has potential to improve the safety and accessibility of hospital wards for older people who have survived psychologically traumatic events and has an extensive evidence base supporting its effectiveness in other settings. Identifying trauma-related needs and amending care to reduce the risk of re-traumatisation and distress may also reduce the incidence of responsive behaviour change, which has a significant impact on the quality of life of hospital patients and staff and is very costly. The inclusion of a process evaluation will allow us to identify and report changes made on each ward and make recommendations for future implementation efforts.

The effect of a multimodal comprehensive care methodology for family caregivers of people with dementia.

BACKGROUND: Caregivers experience social, physical and psychological burdens in caring for people with dementia. A study was conducted to assess the efficacy of a multimodal comprehensive care methodology training programme for the family caregivers of people with dementia. METHODS: This research was an intervention trial with a quasi-experimental design. A total of 148 family caregivers of people with dementia participated in a multimodal comprehensive care methodology training programme for 6 hours (three times for 2 hours) in 3 months, which was followed by weekly delivery of information via postcard. The care burden of the caregivers was evaluated by the Japanese short version of the Zarit Burden Interview (J-ZBI) before the training, 1 month post-training and 3 months post-training (primary outcome). Each caregiver assessed the symptoms of the people with dementia for whom they provided care with the Behavioral Pathology in Alzheimer's Disease (Behave-AD) (secondary outcome). RESULTS: A total of 117 family caregivers (79%) were assessed 3 months after training. Over the course of the programme, the care burden significantly decreased from pre-training to 3 months post-training (P < 0.001). The mean care burden scores before, 1 month after, and 3 months after the intervention were 13.3, 10.9 and 10.6, respectively. The mean Behave-AD score of 101 people with dementia (68%) 3 months post-training was lower than that at pre-training, but the difference was not statistically significant (from 13.6 to 11.8, P = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: The multimodal comprehensive care methodology training was associated with a reduction in the care burden of family caregivers. These findings suggest that randomized controlled trials with larger sample sizes are needed. TRIAL REGISTRATION: UMIN Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN-CTR), UMIN000043245 . Registered 4 February 2021 - Retrospectively registered.

Mortality in patients with behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia: a registry-based study.

OBJECTIVES: Behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) are common in patients with dementia. In the elderly population, comorbidities frequently coexist with dementia and mortality in dementia is high. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of BPSD on mortality in severe dementia. METHODS: This study of 11,448 individuals was based on linked information from the Swedish BPSD registry, the National Patient Register and the Cause of Death register. BPSD was assessed with the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI). Cox proportional hazards regressions were performed for survival analysis. To study different degrees of BPSD, data was categorized into groups: no (NPI, 0 points), mild (NPI, 1-3 points on ≥1 item), moderate (NPI, 4-8 points on ≥1 item) and severe (NPI, 9-12 points on ≥1 item) BPSD based on the highest score on any of the BPSD assessed (NPI items). RESULTS: The presence of moderate or severe BPSD was associated with a stepwise increased risk of mortality (hazard ratio (HR), 1.31; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.08-1.60 and HR 1.74; 95% CI 1.44-2.12, respectively) compared with individuals with no BPSD. In addition, there was an association between total NPI score and mortality (HR 1.01; 95% CI 1.007-1.010). The results remained significant after multivariable adjustment for age, sex, dementia diagnosis, medication, previous myocardial infarction, hip fracture and stroke. CONCLUSIONS: The results show a stepwise increase in mortality risk with increased BPSD, highlighting the importance of adequate management of BPSD to reduce mortality in dementia.