Impact Of A Web-Based Instructional Module Of Alzheimer’S Disease Within Seven Content Knowledge Domains, Joyce Haynie

Dissertations

Abstract

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) has been classified as the most common form of dementia. Primary health care providers are usually the first clinicians to whom individuals present with symptoms of dementia. By 2050, it is expected that as many as 13.8 million Americans will be living with AD, and millions more will be placed in the challenging role of providing care for these individuals. However, studies continue to show that dementia is often underdiagnosed and under detected. The purpose of the study was to systematically inquire about the impact of AD education on level of knowledge about AD among primary …

Dementia And The Role Of Alzheimer Disease, Jodi Kiessling

Nursing Student Class Projects (Formerly MSN)

Alzheimer disease is a progressive disease causing cognitive and functional decline with the hallmark sign of plagues and tangles within the brain. Genetics, inflammation, accumulation of beta-amyloid protein and breakdown of the blood brain barrier are all contributing factors in the disease. Treatment is not curative and is focused on symptom management and management of pre-existing chronic diseases.

A Toolkit For Administration Of Antipsychotic Medications In Nursing Homes, Nino Dantes Flores

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Psychotropic medications should be used with extreme caution in older adults residing in long- term care facilities. Delirium and altered mental status are associated with multiple complex underlying medical conditions and can be difficult to recognize, particularly among the elderly residing in long-term care facilities. The use of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Antipsychotic Toolkit allows for ethical and evidence- based care of the elderly within the regulations and best practice for use of antipsychotics. This Doctor of Nursing Practice quality improvement project is designed to provide a toolkit for practitioners of behavioral modification …

Assessing Palliative Care Needs In Residents With Alzheimer's, Emily Yarnell

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Current evidence indicates a lack of assessment protocols focusing on palliative care needs for patients with Alzheimer’s disease. This gap in practice supported the need to implement an evidence-based assessment protocol for early identification of palliative care needs in patients with Alzheimer’s disease residing in a long-term care facility. The protocol included using the patient’s Global Deterioration Scale (GDS) score to determine the patient’s palliative care needs according to the Dementia Progression Prioritization of Goals model. If the score indicated moderate to severe Alzheimer’s disease, then their goal was maximization of comfort, indicating a need to begin palliative care plans. …

The Effects Of A Dementia Simulation Experience On Attitudes Towards People With Dementia, Micah Huckabee

Health, Human Performance and Recreation Undergraduate Honors Theses

Introduction: The neurodegenerative effects of dementia resulting in cognitive and behavioral impairments is plausibly one of the reasons for a societal stigma towards individuals with dementia. Societal stigmas are associated with decreased life satisfaction, depressive symptoms, and decreased psychological well-being for stigmatized individuals. In an effort to improve attitudes towards individuals with dementia, this study utilized a dementia simulation to measure attitudinal changes after a dementia simulation. Methods: There were 33 participants in this study (13 male and 20 female) between the ages of 18 and 25. Participants completed a Dementia Attitudes Scale (DAS) survey, and then they dressed in …

Implementation Of An Evidence Based Screening Protocol To Improve The Diagnosis Of Dementia In A Home-Based Primary Care Setting, Lauren Liesbeth Sutton

Doctoral Projects

Dementia is a major public health concern that is both debilitating and deleterious to those afflicted with its various forms. The number of those living with dementia is increasing exponentially as the population continues to rise, with 46.8 million people worldwide currently afflicted with dementia (Chow et al., 2018). Dementia causes cognitive impairment that is severe enough to affect everyday function (Chow et al., 2018). The impairment and disability resulting from dementia indicates a significant health problem in primary care. Findings from research studies indicate that prophylactic and periodic screening for dementia can heighten provider suspicion and translate into earlier …

Caregiver Outcomes Of A Dementia Care Program, Leslie Chang Evertson

Doctoral Projects

The University of California, Los Angeles Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care (ADC) program enrolls people with dementia (PWD) and their family caregivers as dyads to work with nurse practitioner dementia care specialists to provide coordinated dementia care. At one year, despite disease progression, the PWDs’ behavioral and depressive symptoms improved. In addition, at one-year, caregiver depression, distress related to behavioral symptoms, and caregiver strain also improved. Not all dyads enrolled in the ADC program appear to experience benefit. Although strain and distress remained stable or decreased for the majority of caregivers, a portion reported an increase in both. Semi-structured interviewed were …

The Lived Experience Of Spiritual Well-Being Amongst Informal Caregivers Of Persons With Dementia On Palliative Care Living At Home, Michael Baumgardner

Dissertations

Title. The Lived Experience of Spiritual Well-Being Amongst Informal Caregivers of Persons with Dementia on Palliative Care Living at Home.

Purpose.This study explored the lived experience of spiritual well-being amongst informal caregivers of a person with dementia who were living at home and enrolled in palliative care.

Background. Patients with dementia comprise the third leading diagnosis in palliative care patients and many receive informal care from family members. Palliative care improves quality of life in patients and their informal caregivers. However, little is known about spiritual well-being in the setting of caregiving of persons with dementia on palliative care. …

Increasing Hospice Nurses’ Knowledge And Improving Attitudes On Pain Assessment In Dementia Patients, Lyn Marie Peugeot

Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Background: Patients with dementia have difficulty articulating pain due to cognitive deficits incommunication, sensation, and overall physical decline due to the aging and disease process. Patients who have dementia are considered at-risk for uncontrolled pain due to under-assessment, under-treatment, or untreated pain. Current research notes gaps exist in pain assessment among nurses’ due to knowledgedeficits and attitudes on pain assessment for dementia patients. Barriers regarding the utilization of evidence-based behavioral pain assessment tools are related to nurses’ knowledge deficit and skills competency.

Purpose: The purpose of this evidence-based practice (EBP) project was to increase hospice nurses’ knowledge and improve attitudes …

Reducing Antipsychotic Medication Use In Long-Term Care Settings, Martha Ofeibea Agbeli

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The prescription rate of antipsychotics in patients with dementia varies between 20% and 50% for the common and troubling neuropsychiatric symptoms experienced by patients with dementia. The use of these antipsychotic medications has been linked with increased risk of morbidity and mortality due to associated Parkinsonism, over sedation, gait disturbances, cognitive decline, and cardiovascular adverse events. The purpose of this project was to assess whether development of an evidence-based clinical practice guideline (CPG) for a long-term care facility would increase awareness about issues that govern the safe use of antipsychotic medications. The conceptual framework for the project was Watson's model …

A Psychoeducational Support Group For Family Caregivers Of Elders With Major Neurocognitive Disorder/ Dementia, Brooke D. Katz

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: Dementia is a major public health problem impacting an estimated 65.7 million people worldwide by 2030. It primarily occurs in the elderly population (over age 65) and also affects family caregivers, who often experience significant stress and burden. A psychoeducational support group may be an easy and cost-effective solution to caregiver stress and financial burden.

Objective: To determine whether or not there is an effect on self-reported stress and burden on family caregivers of elders with dementia (EWD) of a voluntary psychoeducational support group in the setting of Assisted Living, Memory Support, and Skilled Nursing led by a psychiatric …

Staff Education Intervention To Enhance Care Planning For Older Adults, Mozhgan Peiravi

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The increased prevalence of cognitive deterioration has increased the challenges of caring for older adults. This study's project site offers a psychiatric program for older adults with customized care for complex geriatric mental health patients. Clinical assessment and care management are often overlooked in geriatric mental health patients diagnosed with behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). The purpose of this project was to deliver an education program developed from the Staff Training in Assisted Living Residences-Veterans Administration, P.I.E.C.E.S model and the Castle framework to 42 nursing and allied health staff of the project site. The project question explored whether …

Appalachian Caregivers Of Persons With Dementia Non Use Of Services, Kristina M. Childers

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this current study was to explain factors most strongly associated with Caregiver (CG) of Person with Dementia (PWD) non-use of formal and informal services in Appalachia.

Methods: A correlational explanatory design using validated self-report surveys was used to explain the association of the substructed Andersen’s Behavioral Model for Health Services Use in Appalachian CG non-use of formal and informal services. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA tests considering eight independent variables in total from each research question, using a sample of 43 CG/CR dyads.

Results: The analyses of four research questions …