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Dementia patients need urgent support after diagnosis

Date:
October 30, 2012
Source:
University of Hertfordshire
Summary:
There is an urgent need for support from outside the family after diagnosis of dementia according to a study led by researchers from the University of Hertfordshire.
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There is an urgent need for support from outside the family after diagnosis of dementia according to a study led by researchers from the University of Hertfordshire.

The study, published in PLoS Medicine, explores how healthcare professionals can better understand the challenges that dementia patients and their carers face around the time of diagnosis, as well identifying their immediate and on-going support needs.

Dr Frances Bunn, senior research fellow in evidence-based practice at the University of Hertfordshire said: "The needs of people with dementia and their carers are complex and varied which makes diagnosing and supporting this group particularly challenging. But it is clear from our analysis that support needs to be on-going, flexible, and sensitive to their needs.

The researchers reviewed the experience, beliefs, feelings and attitudes of patients and their carers around dementia diagnosis. Focusing on those patients who lived and were cared for within the community, the study also tried to understand barriers to early diagnosis and what type of support is useful for newly diagnosed patients.

Despite improvements in the speed of diagnosis, unawareness or denial of the signs and symptoms of dementia by the patients and people close to them can still delay diagnosis. Being diagnosed as a person with dementia has a huge impact on the identity of the patient, leading to feelings of loss, anger, uncertainty and frustration, and has major impacts on roles and relationships both within the family and in wider social networks.

Bunn continued: "Those making decisions about the timing and delivery of services need appropriate expertise and training. So, future research must focus on the development and evaluation of ways to meet those needs."


Story Source:

Materials provided by University of Hertfordshire. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. Frances Bunn, Claire Goodman, Katie Sworn, Greta Rait, Carol Brayne, Louise Robinson, Elaine McNeilly, Steve Iliffe. Psychosocial Factors That Shape Patient and Carer Experiences of Dementia Diagnosis and Treatment: A Systematic Review of Qualitative Studies. PLoS Medicine, 2012; 9 (10): e1001331 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1001331

Cite This Page:

University of Hertfordshire. "Dementia patients need urgent support after diagnosis." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 30 October 2012. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/10/121030210051.htm>.
University of Hertfordshire. (2012, October 30). Dementia patients need urgent support after diagnosis. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 28, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/10/121030210051.htm
University of Hertfordshire. "Dementia patients need urgent support after diagnosis." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/10/121030210051.htm (accessed March 28, 2024).

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