Dementia in aging essay and annotated bibliography

Topic: The need for interprofessional education concerning dementia in aging 

 

Note: Your outline must have been received and approved by your instructor before you can proceed with the research paper.

This assignment introduces you to academic expectations involved in independent research.

Length: In the research paper, you will develop your research outline into a short essay in 1250 to 1500 words, excluding the reference list. You may not submit the final assignment until the previous assignment has been marked and returned to you. Accordingly, it is extremely important to plan for this in setting dates for the assignments in your contract.

Description:  produce a research essay of 1250 to 1500 words on interprofessional education in your field in the larger context of Human Services. 

Hint: Foreground your learning about collaborative approaches, the benefits and drawbacks of interprofessional education. Your completed essay should show the logic of your essay, contain all the required elements, and use references you submitted in the Bibliography assignment and provide a reference list in APA style. You may expand on your original bibliography.

Dementia Annotated Bibliography

 Overview

This paper focuses on the need for interprofessional education concerning dementia in aging. The articles used to highlight therein the usefulness of current knowledge and its application in the topic, as well as what needs to be done to improve the professional education.

 Topic: Dementia in Aging

 Fortune, D., & McKeown, J. (2016). Sharing the Journey: Exploring a Social Leisure Program for Persons with Dementia and Their Spouses. Leisure Sciences, 38 (4), 373-387. 10.1080/01490400.2016.1157776

This article highlights the exclusion and marginalization that persons who have dementia and their spouses often face in leisure practices and spaces (Fortune & McKeown, 2016). Similarly, the aspects of a “peer-led community social program” have been explored in the article aimed at inclusion (Fortune & McKeown, 2016). As creatively framed through functional analysis, the social program member’s experiences have been shared using a composite narrative.  The narrative is about a couple’s story who are seeking education and support through diagnoses during which they come across a broad social connection with others in the same fate. It is from this narrative that the author derives the meaning of inclusion for couples affected by dementia while using a social justice point of view in consideration of how best to address exclusion experiences in leisure spaces and practices (Fortune & McKeown, 2016). Dementia in aging essay and annotated bibliography.

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Brayne, C., & Miller, B. (2017). Dementia and aging populations-A global priority for contextualized research and health policy. Plos Medicine, 14 (3), 1-4. :10.1371/journal.pmed.1002275

This article provides a contextualized study aimed at understanding the relationship between genetics and dementia while highlighting emphasis for risk heterogeneity found in different individuals and populations (Brayne & Miller, 2017). According to Brayne (2017), genetics are very vital in the definition of risks associated with neurogenerative disorders, especially for those at risks that medical practitioners are familiar with; to prescribe the most appropriate form of therapy. With a systematic study of Alzheimer disease (AD) beginning in the mid – the 1980s, the subsequent genetic mutation discovery in the “amyloid precursor protein genes” as its cause was in favor of the hypothesis that the production of amyloids is affected by mutations (Brayne & Miller, 2017). Dementia in aging essay and annotated bibliography The evolution of genetics from a family study to the extent of using large databases for genetics in genes exploration has been expounded thus conferring the risk of dementia that is relevant clinically (Brayne & Miller, 2017). This approach has been widely analyzed and explained in this article under which multiple genes have been investigated; that contribute to declining of the cognitive ability and dementia.

 

Mason, P. H. (2015). The Alzheimer Conundrum: Entanglements of Dementia and Aging. Australian Journal of Anthropology, 26 (2), 316-317. :10.1111/taja.12148

The main aim of this article is to highlight the dissent and limitations related to biomarker detections (Mason, 2015). Mason (2015) argues that there is a need for the continuation of the basic research. However, he argues that there is a need to complement this basic research with public health approach in the prevention of dementia in ways that are economically feasible, more effective at the global level, and more humane rather than focusing for a cure in a harried manner (Mason, 2015). Mason insists that there is a need to conduct “a diligent survey of research” through conferences, interviews, and literature to understand more about Alzheimer’s disease (Mason, 2015). He states that only little is known about the problems of dementia’s testing and diagnosis, as well as in search of the drug treatment (Mason, 2015). According to Mason, social support and improved care should be the main focus of medical caregivers even as science tries to research for a cure. Dementia in aging essay and annotated bibliography.

 Pathak, K. P., & Montgomery, A. (2015). General practitioners’ knowledge, practices, and obstacles in the diagnosis and management of dementia. Aging & Mental Health, 19 (10), 912-920.:10.1080/13607863.2014.976170

The objective of this article is to identify the knowledge of general practitioner’s (GP), their practices and obstacles concerning the management and diagnosis of dementia (Pathak & Montgomery, 2015). The research was conducted using standardized questionnaires whose aim was to gather the knowledge obstacles and practices. The questionnaires were distributed in Kathmandu, Nepal to general practitioners. From the result gathered, it was identified the general knowledge of general practitioners concerning dementia was unsatisfactory (Pathak & Montgomery, 2015). Dementia in aging essay and annotated bibliography. The barriers to management, and diagnosis concerning GP. Care factors and patients are presented in the article with specific emphasis on negative dementia views. Diagnosis communication, early-stage diagnosis difficulties, specialists acceptability, special issues responsibility, aging and dementia knowledge, declining abilities less awareness, lack of proper guidelines as well as poor or no awareness on epidemiology (Pathak & Montgomery, 2015). A conclusion about the changes in demographic factors indicating that dementia is likely to present major future challenges (Pathak & Montgomery, 2015). At the same time, the article highlights the steps that need to be undertaken by the Nepalese medical community to deal with dementia through management and diagnosis effectively.

 

Rosato, D., & Mondalek, A. (2015). COPING with AGING’S COSTLIEST CHALLENGE. Money, 44 (11), 80-89.

This article analyses the various costs that those affected directly or indirectly have to pay as a result of the menace. The challenges involve both financial and others as seen in the example of one old couple used as a case study. The couple has to rely on a caregiver who gets paid, and the husband cannot hide his sadness due to his wife’s suffering. The psychological challenges are even worse, and the couple has to go for regular therapies for treatment (Rosato & Mondalek, 2015). Dementia in aging essay and annotated bibliography.

Orfield, S. J. (2015). Dementia Environment Design in Seniors Housing: Optimizing Resident Perception and Cognition. Seniors Housing & Care Journal, 23 (1), 58-69.

The primary focus of this article is on research-based design (RBD) on aging as the primary sensory cause factor for dementia (Orfield, 2015). It bases the argument from research that was undertaken in Orfield Labs, which was concerned with the perception and performance of aging that has quantitatively and measurably developed the aspect of designing houses meant for the aged Dementia in aging essay and annotated bibliography. Dementia research-based designs the consideration of issues relating to the decline of related cognitive abilities as commonly found in dementia (Orfield, 2015). The article focuses on the design of an environment for senior persons who have dementia (Orfield, 2015). Based on the complexity of dementia as a disease affecting the aged, collection of information is challenging. However, the components of care about dementia are designed to facilitate the caregiving to the affected persons.

Ahrentzen, S., & Tural, E. (2015). The role of building design and interiors in aging actively at home. Building Research & Information, 43 (5), 582-601. :10.1080/09613218.2015.1056336

This regular research paper is used in examining the purpose of the building as well as environmental factors affecting the interior scales for residential developments and homes in inhibiting and promoting sedentary behavior in older adults (Ahrentzen, & Tural, 2015). The article uses the adaptation of the Cochrane Review protocol in undertaking a rigorous screening and search for relevant studies. The article emphasizes different environmental characteristics, e.g., supports, barriers, layout and spatial organization and environmental cues among others (Ahrentzen, & Tural, 2015). In order, to strengthen the field knowledge and application. In improvement and design of environments meant for residential purposes, the article suggests that more research ought to be conducted focusing on the increased use of digital technologies and most importantly, research aimed at identifying the best methods for housing the elderly in a healthy environment (Ahrentzen, & Tural, 2015). These are based on the fact that they are increasing on a daily basis Dementia in aging essay and annotated bibliography.

 

The need for interprofessional education concerning dementia in aging essay

Despite the progress that we have seen in the medical profession regarding the prevention, cure and management of diseases; we are yet to find a permanent solution for most dementia conditions. Dementia is a neurodegenerative disease which affects the nervous system, leading to cognitive (and in some cases, physical) impairment. Some of the most widely known forms of dementia include Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson disease.

Most cases of dementia are reported amongst the elderly who find it impossible to function normally within society. While dementia has mostly been categorized as a mental health issue, research has shown that better outcomes can be achieved through interprofessional collaboration. Dementia in aging essay and annotated bibliography.

Interprofessional education refers to the joint research efforts between various professionals from a wide range of fields. Through collaborating, they can all benefit from what other team members have to offer and provide better outcomes for dementia sufferers and their families. Some of the interprofessional efforts being made will be reported on in this essay.

 Genetics and Dementia

The link between genetics and dementia have been long established and the mental health caregivers have been collaborating with geneticists to find the cause of most forms of dementia in a bid to understand how to properly care for their patients Dementia in aging essay and annotated bibliography. One of the breakthroughs of this collaboration has been the identification of mutated amyloid precursor protein genes as one of the biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease (Brayne and Miller, 2017).

This has helped the early detection and diagnosis process for the disease. Despite Alzheimer’s and most forms of dementia being terminal, early detection goes a long way towards improving the quality of life for the affected. This collaboration between geneticists and the dementia caregivers has been identified as being the most likely source for any definitive progress towards finding a cure, or at least a more effective management plan for dementia sufferers.

Despite the progress made so far, there are still some problem areas that are yet to be addressed satisfactorily. The early detection testing of most forms of dementia is still a hit or miss affair. Dementia in aging essay and annotated bibliography In fact, there is still some disagreement, or total lack of knowledge, of the biomarkers that can be used to point out the likelihood of patients being vulnerable to dementia (Mason, 2015).

One of the accepted truths in medicine is that if you cannot find a way to detect a disease, then you cannot find a way to adequately prevent, manage or even cure it. Most dementia cases can only be diagnosed when symptoms are already manifesting, at which point the disease has already established itself. This is something that needs to be addressed through interpersonal education between mental health caregivers and geneticists.

General Practitioners’ knowledge gap regarding Dementia

In reviewing the existing literature regarding interprofessional education towards dementia, there is a clear problem regarding the knowledge levels and awareness for general practitioners (GPs). GPs are doctors whose training and areas of expertise largely falls within physical ailments, rather than mental illness. Dementia in aging essay and annotated bibliography. While they have the training to identify most illnesses that might need to be referred to a specialist, it is clear that they are not sufficiently aware of how to detect or manage most forms of dementia.

This is especially problematic in third world countries (Pathak and Montgomery, 2015) where GPs might be the only accessible medical professional for miles. The training program for GPs should include sufficient mental health modules, especially concerning dementia, which would allow them to offer some level of care and management while professional mental health professionals are being sought out.

Every medical care center should also work towards having at least one mental health professional who can consult with the GP regarding the care and management of patients suffering with dementia.

Social Inclusion for Dementia Patients

One of the criticisms that have been laid on medical practitioners over the decades is that they take a very single minded approach to the management of their patients. While the medical health outcomes are important, research has shown that social well being is a critical component of the management and care of patients who are suffering from cognitive issues.

Not only is it difficult for dementia patients, and their families, to have an active social life; there are minimal social spaces where they can relax outside the home or care facility (Fortune and McKeown, 2016). The professionals in charge of social welfare, whether they work for government agencies or NGOs, need to collaborate with mental care professionals to improve the social well being of dementia sufferers.

Programs that seem to have been effective include providing a support group where they can meet and mutually support others who are facing similar challenges. Giving them access to plays, concerts and game nights also significantly boost their social well being. Dementia in aging essay and annotated bibliography.

The Financial Burden

One of the most unfortunate challenges with dementia is that the cognitive and physical impairment gets worse with time. What begins as minor memory and speech issues usually leads to total lack of mobility and cognition. This means that dementia patients require round the clock supervision by a caregiver.

Whether this involves a family member quitting their job, hiring a caregiver, or committing the affected to a palliative home; the costs will significantly pile up within a few years. This is why the organizations involved in social welfare should be included in the programs that support the management and care of dementia sufferers (Rosato and Mondalek, 2015). Dementia in aging essay and annotated bibliography. Such families cannot provide adequate care for dementia patients without some form of financial assistance.

Housing Design

If someone suffering from dementia is being given care from home, then there needs to be a significant remodeling of their living space. This is due to the cognitive and mobility impairment that characterizes dementia. One of the biggest issues to consider is the safety of the dementia patient.

Due to cognitive impairment, and the natural effects of aging, dementia patients are very prone to suffering from falls and scrapes (Orfield, 2015). Most of the process of making the living quarters of dementia patients safe is similar to the baby proofing process. Sharp edges should be avoided, slippery flooring materials should be carpeted or replaced, safety railings need to be on elevated areas and sharp objects (knives, screwdrivers etc) placed far from reach. Dementia in aging essay and annotated bibliography.

There is also the mobility issue when it comes to dementia. The challenge is creating a space where they can safely move, and get much needed exercise, without any obstacles that they can’t maneuver through (Ahrentzen and Tural, 2015). This is an issue where the construction industry needs to be involved to aid in finding ways to provide safe housing, either when constructing anew or when carrying out a remodel.

Conclusion

Dementia is a terminal condition that affects the patients, and their caregivers, in virtually all parts of their lives. If proper care is to be given to the afflicted, and if they (and their families) will enjoy an acceptable quality of life, then interprofessional education and collaboration needs to happen Dementia in aging essay and annotated bibliography.

While mental health care professionals are the primary caregivers, they need to collaborate with:  geneticists for better cure and diagnosis strategies, general practitioners to address their knowledge gap regarding dementia, builders for the provision of safe living spaces and social welfare professionals for funding and the facilitation of social well being.

Through these wide-ranging collaborations, the care and management of dementia will significantly improve, for the benefit of sufferers and their caregivers. Dementia in aging essay and annotated bibliography.

 References

Ahrentzen, S., & Tural, E. (2015). The role of building design and interiors in aging actively at home. Building Research & Information, 43 (5), 582-601. :10.1080/09613218.2015.1056336

Brayne, C., & Miller, B. (2017). Dementia and aging populations-A global priority for contextualized research and health policy. Plos Medicine, 14 (3), 1-4. :10.1371/journal.pmed.1002275

Fortune, D., & McKeown, J. (2016). Sharing the Journey: Exploring a Social Leisure Program for Persons with Dementia and Their Spouses. Leisure Sciences, 38 (4), 373-387. 10.1080/01490400.2016.1157776

Mason, P. H. (2015). The Alzheimer Conundrum: Entanglements of Dementia and Aging. Australian Journal of Anthropology, 26 (2), 316-317. :10.1111/taja.12148 Dementia in aging essay and annotated bibliography

Orfield, S. J. (2015). Dementia Environment Design in Seniors Housing: Optimizing Resident Perception and Cognition. Seniors Housing & Care Journal, 23 (1), 58-69.

Pathak, K. P., & Montgomery, A. (2015). General practitioners’ knowledge, practices, and obstacles in the diagnosis and management of dementia. Aging & Mental Health, 19 (10), 912-920.:10.1080/13607863.2014.976170

Rosato, D., & Mondalek, A. (2015). COPING with AGING’S COSTLIEST CHALLENGE. Money, 44 (11), 80-89.

Annotated Bibliography on Ageing, Dementia, Inclusion and Respect of Older Adults

Moody, E., & Phinney, A. (2012). ‘A community engaged art-program for older people: Fostering Social Inclusion’. Canadian Journal on Aging, 31(1), 55-64.

For a long time Social Inclusion has been an important factor towards promoting optimum health and well-being for the aging adults. This study aimed at exploring the role Vancouver- based community engaged arts (CEA) program played towards social inclusion of older community dwellers. Dementia in aging essay and annotated bibliography. Results indicated that the program actually supported seniors’ capability to connect to community in new ways to help forge connections beyond seniority. Further results suggested that CEA programs contributed towards the social inclusions of the aged.

Coudin, G., & Alexopoulos, T. (2010). ‘Help me! I am old! How negative aging stereotypes create dependency among older adults’. Aging and Mental Health, 14(5), 516-523.

The effects of negative aging stereotyping on self-reported loneliness, risk-taking, health seeking behavior and subjective health. A sample of the old French adults revealed that, the detrimental effects of negative aging stereotypes on older adults self evaluations and behavior contributing to the explanation of their adverse effect on the social environment that increase dependency such as in healthcare among others. Thus the negative stereotyping leads to lowering extraversion levels as well as higher feelings of loneliness.

 

Plouffe, L., A., & Kalache, A. (2011). ‘Making communities’ age friendly: State and municipal Institutions in Canada and other countries’. Gaceta Sanitaria, 25(Suppl.2), 131-137.

Age friendly community institutions promoting healthy and active ageing have evolved in countries such as Spain, Canada and Australia. They have been accompanied by various policy actions to include: policy institutions declared as official policy directions, community project funding as well as aligning age-friendly community policy with other state level policy directions. Some countries efforts involve the creation of community of practice and research and policy network to encourage development on aging-supportive countries. Dementia in aging essay and annotated bibliography.

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Gibson, J. W., Jones, J. P., Cella et al. (2010). ‘Ageism and Baby Boomers: Issues, Challenges & the Team approach’. Contemporary Issues in Education Research, 3(1), 53-60.

Issues and challenges associated with aging have been considered in the paper in relation to the Baby Boomer generation in the corporate America. Aging workers stereotyping is examined alongside the boomers who are discriminatory. Therefore the TEAM approach has been proposed as a strategy towards combating ageism in the workplace. The approach incorporates use of intergenerational teams, awareness, accountability, education and training  as well as mentoring as vital components.

Scharf, T., & Keating, N. C. (2012). ‘From exclusion to inclusion in old age: A global challenge’. The Policy Press: Bristol.

Evidence has shown there is a widening gap in terms of inequality as one gets old thus raising concerns on how the aged are likely to face social exclusion from the world. A broad international perspective view points out through the book the patterns and processes those ageing are likely towards exclusion or those that support their exclusion. Dementia in aging essay and annotated bibliography. Factors such as migration, intergenerational relationships, globalization, human rights and age discrimination are talked about.

Law Commission of Ontario. (n.d.). (2012). ‘Addressing ageism: Developing a principled approach’. Retrieved from http://www.lco-cdo.org/en/older-adults-interim-report-section111

Various principles have been used to provide a set of norms to counter effects on ageism in development, substance and implementation of laws affecting older persons. The principles aim at promoting participation, worth, individuality and diversity as well as contributions of older persons. Key international and domestic sources of the principles have reviewed and analyzed with substantive equality.

 

Thibault, J. M., Morgan, R. L. (2009). ‘NO act of love is ever wasted: The spirituality of caring for persons with dementia’. Nashville, TN: Upperoom Books.

There is the spiritual need of caregivers both from paid care staff in memory facilities and family members to care for the aged. Dementia in aging essay and annotated bibliography.

Whitman, L. (E,d.). (2010). ‘Telling tales about dementia: Experiences of caring’. Philadelphia: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

Involves a collection of short firsthand experiences by persons involved in caring for loved ones with dementia. Those with such experiences in caring will recognize the concerted efforts by husbands, wives, children and partners.

Scocco, P.,Fantoni, G., Rapattoni, M., Girolami et al. (2009). Death ideas, suicidal thoughts, and plans among nursing home residents’. Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neurology, 22(2), 141-148.

Research has recently revealed that nursing home residents are at an equal fraction with older people in general population for frequency in suicides. Residents above the age of 70 and older are more likely to report death or suicidal ideation. Moreover, these suicidal feelings and thoughts, actions can be as a result of their multiple loses in their social role, status, relationships that are all available in short period of time. Dementia in aging essay and annotated bibliography.

Ageism Hurts. (2011). Retrieved from http://ageismhurts.org/

The site began in 2011 acting as a forum towards stimulating awareness, discussion and thoughts on ageism.  A summary of the various aspects of ageism based on current literature and research has been provided. Dementia in aging essay and annotated bibliography.