Archive for March, 2011

Elderly With Dementia, Delirium Confused by ER Visits: Study

(HealthDay News) — Elderly patients with dementia and delirium who are taken to a hospital emergency department often do not comprehend why they are there and do not understand discharge instructions from doctors or nurses, a new study finds.

U.S. researchers interviewed 202 elderly patients about why they were in an emergency department and found that those with cognitive impairment (dementia and delirium) were less likely than those with no cognitive impairment to agree with the person who brought them to the emergency department about why they were there.

The study authors also interviewed 115 elderly patients about their discharge and found that those with cognitive impairment were much less likely than non-impaired patients to understand their discharge instructions.

The study results were published online Jan. 21 in the journal Annals of Emergency Medicine.

"Emergency physicians miss delirium and dementia in the majority of cases because emergency patients are not routinely screened for them. Our study suggests screening for these forms of cognitive impairment in the emergency department is warranted," lead author Dr. Jin H. Han, of Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., said in a journal news release.

Dementia and delirium affect about 25 percent of elderly patients seen in emergency departments, according to the researchers. Communication problems with these patients "affects our ability to adequately provide quality care for these vulnerable patients," Han said.

"We need to do a better job in identifying older patients with cognitive impairment, but this can be challenging in the chaotic emergency department environment. For this reason, we and several other research groups are trying to develop brief screening tools to help the busy emergency physician better identify delirium and dementia," Han concluded.

…continue reading from caring.com

Age Advantage caregivers are available to talk with you and your family about all of your care needs, including, how to reduce caregiver stress while providing better, affordable care. Age Advantage is a home care agency providing In Home Care in Columbus OH.

Caring For Elderly Parents: Top 10 Concerns
Source: aolhealth.com

Parents care for their children, to strengthen body and mind, and nurture them forward to independence. Siblings, grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins and even friends and neighbors often join in the family circle, helping to care for the kids. Such is what caregiving is all about, a nurturing, supportive commitment by family and extended family members. Many of us have the opportunity to return that same level of commitment and support to Mom, Dad or both as they age.

It is time to return the favor, not just individually, but as a family, to provide support where necessary and preserve your parents’ ability and independence as long as possible. What are the 10 most important family concerns in caregiving for a parent? Consider:

1. Rally the Troops
Deborah Halpern, Communications Director for the non-profit National Family Caregiver’s Association, urges that caregiving your parent is not a one-person job or burden. Instead, you should have a family team that includes friends and neighbors, each with a role and responsibility in the caregiving process. There must be a ringleader, according to Halpern, who contacts each family member with the invitation or challenge to "step up to the plate and help."

Consider the team concept as akin to hiring for different jobs in a company. Everyone is good at something, while he or she may be inept or less than qualified in another task or field. When several family members are involved, even for just a few hours each week, the burden on the primary caregiver is reduced significantly. Sharing responsibilities also brings more family members into active contact, sharing, support, monitoring, understanding and visiting with Mom or Dad.

2. Talk with Your Parent
Discuss freely with your elderly parent his or her current needs, limitations and concerns, stating your positive belief and commitment to providing the services and assistance to maintain independence and activity while also fulfilling medical and other needs.

3. Consult with Medical Practitioners
Meet with physicians and other medical providers to learn their concerns and suggestions.

…continue reading from aolhealth.com

 Age Advantage caregivers are available to talk with you and your family about all of your care needs, including, how to reduce caregiver stress while providing better, affordable care. Age Advantage is a home care agency providing In Home Care in Columbus OH.