van de Ven, Geertje, Draskovic, Irena, Adang, Eddy M. M., Donders, Rogier A. R. T., Post, Aukje, Zuidema, Sytse U., Koopmans, Raymond T. C. M., Vernooij-Dassen, Myrra J. F. J.

Background: The effectiveness and efficiency of nursing-home dementia care are suboptimal: there are high rates of neuropsychiatric symptoms among the residents and work-related stress among the staff. Dementia-care mapping is a person-centred care method that may alleviate both the resident and the staff problems. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness […]

Cazzola, Roberta, Rondanelli, Mariangela, Faliva, Milena, Cestaro, Benvenuto

A randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial was carried out to assess the efficacy of a docosahexenoic acid (DHA)-phospholipids, melatonin and tryptophan supplemented diet in improving the erythrocyte oxidative stress, membrane fluidity and membrane-bound enzyme activities of elderly subjects suffering from mild cognitive impairment (MCI). These subjects were randomly assigned to the supplement group (11 subjects, […]

Aboulafia-Brakha, T., Suchecki, D., Gouveia-Paulino, F., Nitrini, R., Ptak, R.

Background: Family caregivers of patients with dementia frequently experience psychological stress, depression and disturbed psychophysiological activity, with increased levels of diurnal cortisol secretion.; Objectives: To compare the effects of a cognitive-behavioural group therapy (CBT) to a psychoeducation group programme (EDUC) on cortisol secretion in caregivers of patients with moderate Alzheimer’s disease (AD).; Method: Caregivers of […]

Whitebird, R. R., Kreitzer, M., Crain, A. L., Lewis, B. A., Hanson, L. R., Enstad, C. J.

Purpose: Caring for a family member with dementia is associated with chronic stress, which can have significant deleterious effects on caregivers. The purpose of the Balance Study was to compare a mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) intervention to a community caregiver education and support (CCES) intervention for family caregivers of people with dementia.; Design and Methods: […]

Shinto, Lynne, Quinn, Joseph, Montine, Thomas, Dodge, Hiroko H., Woodward, William, Baldauf-Wagner, Sara, Waichunas, Dana, Bumgarner, Lauren, Bourdette, Dennis, Silbert, Lisa, Kaye, Jeffrey

Oxidative stress, inflammation, and increased cholesterol levels are all mechanisms that have been associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology. Several epidemiologic studies have reported a decreased risk of AD with fish consumption. This pilot study was designed to evaluate the effects of supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids alone (ω-3) or omega-3 plus alpha lipoic acid […]

Moyle, Wendy, Cooke, Marie Louise, Beattie, Elizabeth, Shum, David H.K., O’Dwyer, Siobhan T., Barrett, Sue, Sung, Billy

Background: The anxiety associated with unfamiliar surroundings, the disorientation and mental confusion, and the social isolation that accompanies dementia can often create increased stress for people living in long-term care settings. Such a response is thought to affect the autonomic nervous system and result in emotional and physical symptoms of distress that may be manifested […]

George, Daniel R., Singer, Mendel E.

Objectives: To evaluate whether a structured intergenerational volunteering intervention would enhance quality of life (QOL) for persons with mild to moderate dementia.; Methods: Fifteen participants were randomized into intervention and control groups. The intervention group participated in hour-long structured volunteer sessions with a kindergarten class and an older elementary class in alternating weeks during a […]

George, Daniel R.

Purpose: This article reports on a mixed methods evaluation of a randomized control trial in Cleveland, Ohio, USA, that assessed whether an intergenerational volunteering intervention could enhance quality of life (QOL) for persons with mild to moderate dementia.; Methods: Fifteen participants were randomized into intervention and control groups. The intervention group participated in hour-long volunteer […]