Assessment Scales for Advanced Dementia

Description

With the goal of alleviating the paucity of knowledge about advanced dementia, and helping to improve the care and services that are increasingly needed for the growing numbers of people living with dementia-type diseases, this book provides evidence-based measurement scales for use by researchers and care providers who are seeking to improve our understanding of the final stages of this disease. Now collected in a single place are the best available research tools for use with this unique population, accompanied by knowledgeable reviews by the book’s internationally recognized authors and by the original journal articles that explain each scale s development and validity.

All scales presented in this unique resource have been proven effective in eliciting meaningful data from study subjects, patients, and long-term care residents whose communication difficulties reduce their ability to self-report or respond in traditionally measured ways. These customized scales are useful for assessing the following domains in late-stage or end-of-life dementia care: Dementia severity, Satisfaction with care, Symptom management, Comfort during dying, Quality of life, Activity involvement, Discomfort, Pain, Quality of visits, Agitation, Rejection of care

Dr. Ladislav Volicer is currently the Courtesy Full Professor at the School of Aging Studies, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA, Visiting Professor at the 3rd Medical Faculty, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic and Adjunct Professor at the University of Western Sydney. In 1979, he moved his laboratory to the E.N.Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital in Bedford, MA and got involved in research and care for individuals with dementia. As a medical director, he established one of the first Dementia Special Care Units and introduced the concept of structured palliative care for patients with advanced dementia. Goals of care on this unit were quality of life, dignity and comfort instead of prolongation of life at all costs. Dr. Volicer investigated various aspects of dementia care, including behavioural symptoms, medical complications and eating difficulties. He is recognized as an international expert on advanced dementia care.

Dr. Ann C. Hurley is currently Senior Nurse Scientist, Brigham and Women s Hospital Center for Nursing Excellence, Boston MA, USA. She has held clinical, educational, administrative, and research positions at several Academic Medical Centers in the Boston, Massachusetts area, USA. Concurrent with those positions, she was adjunct faculty in nursing programs at Boston University, Boston College, and Northeastern University, USA. Dr. Hurley was the Associate Director of the Geriatric Research Education Clinical Center at the Edith Nurse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital in Bedford, MA and Director of the Education and Information Transfer Core of the Boston University Alzheimer s Disease Center. She has worked with Dr. Volicer for over 20 years; collaborating in a program of interdisciplinary research targeted to improve care for persons with advanced dementia and disseminating new knowledge in peer-reviewed journals, chapters and books.