Down Syndrome Family Network’s Post

Geriatric Health Care: Emergency rooms designed for geriatric care are improving diagnoses and outcomes for older patients. These specialized ERs focus on the unique needs of older adults, ensuring they receive accurate and timely care. Learn more about this innovative approach: https://bit.ly/3YpC0uX.

Recent NHS data reveals that over 𝟰𝟴𝟳,𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 in England were diagnosed with Dementia in June, a record number. Despite this, diagnosis rates are still below pre-pandemic levels, with significant regional disparities affecting timely diagnosis. Early diagnosis is vital for accessing the right support. Common early symptoms include memory loss, difficulty finding words, and confusion about time and place. If you notice these signs in yourself or a loved one, seeking medical advice is crucial. Given the unpredictable nature of dementia, it's wise to consider setting up a 𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝘁𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆 (𝗟𝗣𝗔). An LPA is a legal document that allows you to appoint someone you trust to make decisions on your behalf if you're unable to do so in the future. This ensures your wishes are respected and your affairs are managed by someone you choose. Have you considered an LPA? It can provide peace of mind for you and your loved ones. Send me a message today, or an email to wecare@helpmelegal.uk for more information.

Hospitals are a maze. We seek treatment from one floor to another. That’s what today’s healthcare feels like. One of the cornerstones of patient-centred care is the expectation that patients should take an active role in managing their health. For some, particularly those with chronic conditions, this can be empowering. But for many older adults, it can be overwhelming. They are already dealing with multiple health issues, cognitive decline, or limited access to resources. I wonder if patient-centred care truly works for our elderly. Once, family doctors knew everything about a patient - their history, lifestyle, and quirks. Now, healthcare is fragmented. Seniors find this an obstacle course, often with different advice. While patient-centred care sounds empowering, for many older adults juggling multiple health issues and cognitive challenges, it can feel overwhelming. Should an 80-year-old be expected to navigate this system, let alone make decisions during a stroke or heart attack? We need more coordination and evidence-based care tailored to their needs. Healing should be the focus, not satisfaction surveys. Patient-centred care is valuable but needs revamping. Our senior folks deserve care that’s not confusing. Do you find hospitals a maze? #kanthamedical #geriatriccare

✨ New Study Alert ✨ Research on end-of-life experiences for individuals with Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB) shows mixed results. While many caregivers reported positive experiences, key insights include: 🔹 DLB patients typically died of disease-related complications, about 3.24 years post-diagnosis. 🔹 Only 44% of caregivers felt well-informed by clinicians. 🔹 Worsening symptoms included cognitive decline and motor function issues. 🔹 Nearly 90% received hospice care, though 20% for less than a week. Improving clinician counseling and hospice care could enhance end-of-life experiences. 💬🏥 #DementiaWithLewyBodies #EndOfLifeCare #CaregiverSupport #HospiceCare #DLB #HealthcareResearch

Being in the moment with Dementia patients starts with knowledge. Battling Dementia is never going to be easy. However, it may also be especially more arduous for the people surrounding the patient. Author Warren A. Patton writes a help guide discussing the illness in detail. Be educated about the highs and lows of the disease, and check out the book on Amazon: https://lnkd.in/gih6NBSu #warrenapatton #author #bookworm #dementiahelpguidevol1 #dementia #symptoms #illness

Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders are some of the toughest issues caregivers face. Imagine doing it without medical training! Volunteers are a critical part of providing care for patients and their families – and they need the proper training. This insightful program will impart critical knowledge that will enable volunteers to better serve the ADRD population and increase their confidence level as well. https://lnkd.in/gwPV9rBy 📅 May 16, 2024 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm PT 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm MT 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm CT 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm ET After this webinar you'll be able to: ✔ Distinguish between four Alzheimer’s-related disorders ✔ Understand the volunteer’s role when working with people with dementia, Alzheimer's, and strokes ✔ Explain the unique challenges for families when caring for someone with ADRD ✔ Itemize 10 ways to communicate with a person who has a form of dementia ✔ List five ways volunteers can be useful when a patient is no longer able to communicate verbally . . . #hospice #hospicecare #healthcare #hospicelife #hospicenurse #hhwn #palliativecare #homehealth #homecare #ADRD #AlzheimersDiseaseandRelatedDisorders #Alzheimersdisease #Alzheimers

👉 Explore the November Systematic review collection: https://zurl.co/8a1o ARIIA's monthly systematic review collection, curated by a skilled librarian, grants you access to the latest and highest-quality reviews in aged care. November's collection includes both Open Access and subscription-based reviews, which provide valuable insights into the following areas: 💡 Misdiagnosis in dementia and its impact on dementia care delivery. 💡 What works in reducing depression in older residents, and the importance of social networks on depression in community-dwelling older adults. 💡 Experiences of people with Parkinsons in care homes. Care recipient’s perceptions of communication into medication management during care transitions. 💡 Associations between cognitive decline and oral hygiene. 💡 and much more! 📚 This month's collection features 16 reviews, 10 of which are open access. #AgedCare #SystematicReview #OpenAccess #EvidenceBased

Bill Alert! US Senate Bill S 5418 - A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to authorize grants for training and support services for families and caregivers of people living with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia. Status: Bill Introduced Full Details: https://lnkd.in/exfzGbMg Bill 118 s 5418, also known as the "Alzheimer's Caregiver Support Act," is a proposed amendment to the Public Health Service Act. The purpose of this bill is to provide grants for training and support services for families and caregivers of individuals who are living with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia. The bill aims to address the growing need for assistance and resources for those who are caring for loved ones with Alzheimer's disea...

The patient safety side of caring for patients with dementia has changed over the years. Back in the day, we used to rely quite heavily on those basic falls prevention protocols and those red wristbands—which, if we're honest, weren't really the best solution for our patients with cognitive challenges. These days, we're actually seeing some really positive changes in how we do things. We've learnt so much from our shared learnings and investigations, and now we're actually using much better integrated assessment methods that look at both the physical stuff and the cognitive challenges our patients face. It's really making a difference. I honestly reckon the future of dementia care is going to be all about those really personalised risk management approaches. We're definitely moving away from the old one-size-fits-all stuff and heading towards much more dignified ways of keeping people safe while letting them keep their independence. Plus, we're getting much better at staff training and keeping proper notes. If this resonates, take a look at this article on a real-life incident with a bunch of learnings: https://lnkd.in/gy3kHXBP Also you are welcome to explore a number of interesting lessons on falls at The Loop Pro. www.theloop.pro #PatientSafety #Healthcare #SharedLearnings #QualityImprovement #ContinuousImprovement