An overview of the LASER-AD study: A longitudinal epidemiological study of people with Alzheimer's disease

Abstract

This is the accepted version of the paper.This version of the publication may differ from the final published version. Permanent repository link AbstractResearch into the epidemiological, clinical characteristics and economic impact of dementia is critical to increase understanding and better inform care and policy, and empower people with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and their families to make preparations and timely decisions about accommodation, care and treatment. The LASER-AD longitudinal study of people with AD and their carers, has contributed to our understanding of the progression, characteristics and costs of the disease, and to developing tools that help detect dementia earlier, screen and identify problems experienced by carers. Our work on quality of life showed that even those with severe dementia could report this meaningfully, although family proxy-ratings of quality of life do not necessarily mirror the views of the individual. Despite the impact of the disease process people with AD experience wellbeing in adversity and still live fulfilling lives. The study highlighted the high prevalence and severity of neuropsychiatric symptoms, carer anxiety, depression and abusive behaviour. It informed future directions for possible interventions, in particular, the central role of carer coping strategies in predicting carer mental illness. Current research is building on our findings, which have also been used to inform national and international plans for managing people with dementia and their carers.3

Quality of life in mild dementia: patterns of change in self and caregiver ratings over time

“…16 Nevertheless, certain aspects of the factors that influence perceived QoL in PwD and caregivers require further clarification, especially regarding how QoL assessment changes as dementia progresses. Studies with care home residents have reported no change in mean PwD QoL scores at 20 weeks, 17 but a significant decline in PwD mean scores at 2 years. 18 Findings from community-dwelling samples with mild-to-moderate dementia have been similarly variable.…”

Yaşlı hastalara bakım verenlerin bakım verme yükleri ve başa çıkma biçimleri ile depresyon ve anksiyete düzeyleri arasındaki ilişkinin değerlendirilmesi

“…Bu durumdaki kişilere duygusal odaklı başa çıkma biçimlerini kullanmayı öğreterek, anksiyete düzeylerinin azaltılabileceği ifade edilmektedir. 31…”

Nonpharmacological Interventions for Anxiety and Dementia in Nursing Homes: A Systematic Review

“…Anxiety is a common neuropsychiatric condition in later life, significantly reducing quality of life for adults living with dementia (Hoe, Cooper, & Livingston, 2013; Selwood, Thorgrimsen, & Orrell, 2005) and increasing the likelihood of placement in residential environments such as nursing homes (Gibbons et al, 2002; Gibbons, Teri, Logsdon, & McCurry, 2006). Due to the overlap of symptoms of anxiety with medical illness, medication side effects, and other mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety can be difficult to assess accurately in later life (Beattie, Pachana, & Franklin, 2010).…”