Submit to IJERPH Review for IJERPH Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Dementia Care in the 21st Century

Print Special Issue Flyer
Special Issue Editors
Special Issue Information
Keywords
Published Papers

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Health Care Sciences & Services".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 August 2020) | Viewed by 23867

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Emma Bartfay

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Faculty of Health Sciences, Ontario Tech University, Oshawa, ON, Canada
Interests: dementia care; gerontology; aging; epidemiology; global health; population health; health services research; quality of life; caregiver burden; communicable diseases; neglected tropical diseases; cancer care

Special Issue Information

Dear Collagues,

Approximately 50 million people are currently living with dementia in the world. This number is expected to triple in the next three decades. Affecting countries of all income levels, dementia is now ranked as the 5^th leading cause of death. It also represents a major cause of morbidity, disability and dependency for older adults. Dementia is a complex issue. Its impact is vast, spanning from individuals to family members and society at large, affecting us physically, psychologically, socially and economically. Persons with dementia and their caregivers constitute a vulnerable population with a unique set of challenges. To date, there is still no cure for the condition. As such, improving care to this population, from prevention to treatment and from living to coping with dementia, are of utmost importance. Given the rapidly growing number of affected individuals, understanding the current situation and devising strategies for the future must be prioritized.

This Special Issue aims to address the present and future state of affairs in dementia care globally and to highlight recent advances and innovative approaches to tackle this worldwide issue.

Dr. Emma Bartfay
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

Epidemiology and global disease burden
Risk factors and prevention
Access to care, services and information after diagnosis
Stigma and public education
Social isolation
Human rights and discrimination
Quality of life
Pharmacological and non-pharmacological care
Physical and emotional well-being
Health care provider capacity and quality of care
Caregiver support
Technology and dementia care
Innovative care strategies
Socio-economic aspects of dementia
Dementia-friendly community

Published Papers (6 papers)

Download All Papers

Research

13 pages, 319 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Needs and Utilization of Long-Term Care Service Resources by Dementia Family Caregivers and the Affecting Factors

by Chia-Hui Chang, Yung Ming, Tsung-Hung Chang, Yea-Yin Yen and Shou-Jen Lan

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(16), 6009; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph17166009 - 18 Aug 2020

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2906

Abstract

This study was to evaluate the utilization of long-term care service resources by caregivers of patients with dementia (PWD) and to determine affecting factors. In this cross-sectional study, a total of 100 dyads were enrolled and caregivers responded to the questionnaires. We found 40% of caregivers not using any care resources. Between those caregivers using and not-using care resources, we found differences (p < 0.05) in their health status and living conditions; the difference (p < 0.05) was also found in patients’ behavior and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). The frequency of BPSD (OR = 1.045, p = 0.016, 95% CI = 1.001–1.083) and the living conditions (OR = 3.519, p = 0.007, 95% CI = 1.414–8.759) were related to their use of care resources. Particular BPSDs, such as anxiety or restlessness, throwaway food, aggressive behavior, tearing of clothes, and sexual harassment of patients were related to the caregivers’ use of care resources (p < 0.01). Health professionals have to evaluate the patients’ BPSD and identify the caregivers’ essential needs. Individualized medical care and BPSD-related care resources should be provided for patients and caregivers for taking off their care burden and improving patient care. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dementia Care in the 21st Century)

13 pages, 816 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Relationship Between Knowledge and Types of Attitudes Towards People Living with Dementia

by Chia-Yu Chang and Hui-Chuan Hsu

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(11), 3777; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph17113777 - 26 May 2020

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 3865

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between knowledge and attitudes towards dementia among adults. A cross-sectional online survey with purposive sampling was conducted in four district health centers in Taichung, Taiwan, in 2018. Knowledge was measured by the Taiwanese version of the Dementia Knowledge Assessment Scale. Attitudes towards people with dementia were measured by four kinds of feelings: discomfort, shame, avoidance, and fear. In total, 347 persons completed the questionnaire. Knowledge of dementia was modest. Higher education, a care-related background, chronic health conditions, experience caring for people with dementia, and knowledge of family history were related to higher knowledge of dementia. Attitudes towards people with dementia were grouped into four clusters: uncomfortable (22.2%), ashamed (2.6%), unfriendly (22.5%), and non-negative (52.7%). Knowledge of dementia was significantly related to the ashamed cluster but not to the other clusters. Lower education, a lack of caring experience, and a lack of knowledge of family history were related to uncomfortable feelings, and poorer financial satisfaction was related to uncomfortable, afraid, and avoidant feelings. The open-question expression of feelings towards dementia was more likely to be negative (55.3%). The public should be educated on knowledge of and friendly attitudes towards dementia. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dementia Care in the 21st Century)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 1950 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluating the Efficacy of Therapeutic Programs on Improving Cognitive Function and Depression among Older Adults Living with Dementia in Korea

by Jaeeon Yoo and Sunhee Lee

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(9), 3218; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph17093218 - 06 May 2020

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2277

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect size of programs for enhancing cognition and alleviating depression in older adults with dementia. This study selected 45 cognition and 37 depression programs, which conducted pre- and post-tests and had a treatment group and a control group comprising older adults living in Korea. This study conducted a meta-regression analysis to examine the moderating effect of the program location, number of sessions, intervals, group activities, and curriculum on cognition and depression. Most programs improved cognitive function and lowered depression symptoms. The heterogeneity of the effect size was large. The effect size of the number of sessions on a cognitive function significantly increased with an increasing number of sessions. The effect size of the group activity program on cognitive function was higher. The effect of healthcare institutions on depression was lower compared to other locations. To make more effective interventions for cognition and depression, long-term and group activity programs following a comprehensive curriculum will be required. The programs of healthcare institutions are encouraged to accept the advantages of other institutions and apply them to improve the effects of the programs on depression. Future studies shall focus on establishing concrete measures to enable healthcare institutions to connect older adults with dementia with various other institutions that offer long-term group programs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dementia Care in the 21st Century)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 1273 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Timed Up-and-Go Dual-Task Testing in the Assessment of Cognitive Function: A Mixed Methods Observational Study for Development of the UDDGait Protocol

by Ylva Cedervall, Anna M. Stenberg, Hanna B. Åhman, Vilmantas Giedraitis, Fredrik Tinmark, Lars Berglund, Kjartan Halvorsen, Martin Ingelsson, Erik Rosendahl and Anna Cristina Åberg

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(5), 1715; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph17051715 - 05 Mar 2020

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 6200

Abstract

New methods to screen for and identify early-stage dementia disorders are highly sought after. The purpose of this pilot study is to develop a study protocol for a dual-task test aimed at aiding the early detection of dementia disorders. We used the Timed Up-and-Go (TUG) test, which is a mobility task involving starting in a sitting position, standing up, walking three meters to cross a line on the floor, turning around, walking back and sitting down again. We combined TUG with the verbal task of naming different animals. Pilot study participants were 43 individuals with and without established dementia diagnoses who attended a clinic for memory assessment. Video-recorded test performances were systematically analysed. Deviant test performances concerning the interplay between test administration and participants’ responses to the assessment instructions were revealed and led to refinements being made to the final study protocol. Exploration of the dual-task test outcome measures in a sub-sample of 22 persons, ten with and twelve without dementia, indicated that step-length and number of named animals after the turning point of the dual-task test might constitute appropriate measures for examining this kind of sample. We concluded that the refined study protocol is feasible for testing individuals undergoing initial memory assessments and healthy controls. Follow-up studies with larger samples are being carried out and will bring new knowledge to this area of research. It may also provide an opportunity for further studies exploring possibilities for broad clinical implementation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dementia Care in the 21st Century)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 1375 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Altered Body Composition of Psoas and Thigh Muscles in Relation to Frailty and Severity of Parkinson’s Disease

by Cheng-Kang Wang, Hsiu-Ling Chen, Cheng-Hsien Lu, Meng-Hsiang Chen, Pi-Ling Chiang, Yueh-Sheng Chen and Wei-Che Lin

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16(19), 3667; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph16193667 - 29 Sep 2019

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 3177

Abstract

Background: To investigate the relationship between fat content and the cross-sectional area of psoas and thigh muscles, and clinical severity in patients with Parkinson’s disease. Materials and Methods: Twenty-five patients and 20 age- and sex-matched normal controls were recruited. All subjects underwent MRI study to determine the fat content of the bilateral psoas and thigh muscles. Muscle quality was measured by grasp, walking speed, and cross-sectional area. All patients underwent clinical surveys to evaluate disease severity and frailty, and analyses of the correlations between muscle quality and disease severity were performed. Results: Compared with the controls, patients exhibited higher fatty content in the measured muscles. The higher fat infiltration of measured muscles was significantly correlated with increased disease severity and frailty in patients. The fat fraction of the bilateral medial compartment of the thigh was correlated with the Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale-I results and the fat fraction of the bilateral anterior compartment of the thigh was correlated with weakness and exhaustion in patients. Conclusions: Decreased quality in psoas and thigh muscles is prominent in Parkinson’s disease which is further associated with disease severity and frailty. Awareness of the risk of sarcopenia and associated sequelae might improve patient care and outcomes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dementia Care in the 21st Century)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

11 pages, 5803 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Computed Tomography Assessment of Brain Atrophy in Centenarians

by Robert Chrzan, Agnieszka Gleń, Amira Bryll and Andrzej Urbanik

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16(19), 3659; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph16193659 - 29 Sep 2019

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 4825

Abstract

The aim of our study was to compare the degree of brain atrophy in centenarians and in seniors 70–99 years old. The study group consisted of 23 patients aged 100–106 years. The control group consisted of 90 patients, 30 in each age subgroup 90–99, 80–89, 70–79. In all the patients, the brain atrophy linear parameters were measured on computed tomography scans, in relation to both “subcortical atrophy”, evaluated as progressive widening of the ventricular system, and “cortical atrophy”, defined as widening of subarachnoid space. Secondary indices based on the parameters were calculated. Correlations between the above parameters/indices and age were tested. Significantly different values between the centenarians and the control group were found in the brain atrophy parameters: A, B, C, E, FI, ICR, ICL, SW, CFW, F/A ‘frontal horn index’, A/G ‘Evans index’, D/A ‘ventricular index’, H/E ‘cella media Schiersmann index’, A+B ‘Huckman number’. Correlations between parameter/index and age were found for: A, B, C, FI, ICR, ICL, SW, F/A ‘frontal horn index’, A/G ‘Evans index’, D/A ‘ventricular index’, H/E ‘cella media Schiersmann index’, A+B ‘Huckman number’. Brain atrophy associated with aging is a continuously advancing process, affecting centenarians even more than people before the “magic” threshold of 100 years. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dementia Care in the 21st Century)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Dementia Care in the 21st Century

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editor

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Published Papers (6 papers)

Research

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI