Informal support for people with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias in rural Uganda: a qualitative study

Abstract

Background: The generation of people getting older has become a public health concern worldwide. People aged 65 and above are the most at risk for Alzheimer's disease which is associated with physical and behavioral changes. This nurtures informal support needs for people living with dementia where their families together with other community members are the core providers of day to day care for them in the rural setting. Despite global concern around this issue, information is still lacking on informal support delivered to these people with dementia. Objective: Our study aimed at establishing the nature of informal support provided for people with dementia (PWDs) and its perceived usefulness in rural communities in South Western Uganda. Methods: This was a qualitative study that adopted a descriptive design and conducted among 22 caregivers and 8 opinion leaders in rural communities of Kabale, Mbarara and Ibanda districts in South Western Uganda. The study included dementia caregivers who had been in that role for a period of at least 6 months and opinion leaders in the community. We excluded trained health workers. Results: The study highlights important forms of informal support offered to PWDs such as support in activities of daily living, enabling access to medical attention, recovering misplaced items, provision of herbal remedy, informal counseling, and sourcing carers from other families to offer presence and support in the hope to impact positively on behavioral outbursts and the frustration of living with dementia. Conclusion: The study revealed various forms of informal support that are available for PWDs in South Western Uganda and stressed the role of caregivers and the perceived usefulness of the care provided.

Mbarara University Research Training Initiative: Experiences and Accomplishments of the MEPI Junior D43 TW010128 Award in Uganda

“… 46 Alzheimer’s disease and its related dementias (AD/ADRD). We realized 08 publications from the MADRI trainees in this area: (i) PMC7544160; (ii) PMC7379317; 47 (iii) PMC7268702; 48 (iv) PMC7206770; 49 (v) PMC6935120; 50 (vi) PMC7158106; 51 (vii) PMC7011370. 52 Spin-off publications.…”

Lay Health Workers in Community-based Care and Management of Dementia: a ‘Pre’ and ‘Post’ Pilot Intervention Study in Southwestern Uganda

“…This was a 'pre' and 'post' qualitative pilot intervention study examining the ability of LHWs to support community-based care for people with dementia in rural southwestern Uganda where the prevalence of dementia in adults aged 60 years and over is 20% [14,15]. Many more people are expected to reach old age in the next decade, it is therefore important to envision how the Uganda's population can grow older with dignity [19].…”

“…However, little is known about the optimal approach and ability of the LHWs to support dementia care and management. The overarching goal of this pilot intervention study was to examine the ability of LHWs to support community-based care for people with dementia in rural southwestern Uganda where the prevalence of dementia in adults aged 60 years and over is 20% [14,15].…”

The Effect of Virtual Reality on Cognitive Functions in Ladies With Dementia: Literature Review

“…The elderly population has increased from year to year and has now become a global public health concern around the world (Nankinga et al, 2020). Increasing age and increasing prevalence of degenerative diseases are the main factors causing cognitive decline which results in an increase in the incidence of dementia in the elderly group.…”

“…Dementia consists of several types, one of which is Alzheimer's. Alzheimer's is the most common type of dementia occurs in the elderly, where it accounts for about 60 to 70% of cases of dementia in the elderly (Nankinga et al, 2020). Dementia has a big impact on the life of an elderly person (Kerpershoek et al, 2018).…”