Anstey, Kaarin J., Bahar-Fuchs, Alex, Herath, Pushpani, Rebok, George W., Cherbuin, Nicolas

Background: Disappointing results from clinical trials of disease-modifying interventions for Alzheimer’s dementia (AD), along with reliable identification of modifiable risk factors in mid life from epidemiological studies, have contributed to calls to invest in risk-reduction interventions. It is also well known that AD-related pathological processes begin more than a decade before the development of clinical […]

Chenoweth, Lynn, King, Madeleine, Luscombe, Georgina, Forbes, Ian, Jeon, Yun-Hee, Parbury, Jane Stein, Brodaty, Henry, Fleming, Richard, Haas, Marion

Purpose: Literature suggests that quality of life (QOL), quality of care (QOC) and Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD) can be improved by relatively simple and inexpensive person-centred approaches to nursing care practices (PCC) and modifications to physical environment (PCE). Most research on this topic is observational and few randomised controlled trials have included […]

Burns, Alistair, Mittelman, Mary, Cole, Catherine, Morris, Julie, Winter, Jane, Page, Sean, Brodaty, Henry

Background: Various models of intervention for caregivers of patients with dementia have been described. There has been little direct comparison of cultural differences between countries and the effect any differences may exert on the outcome of caregiver interventions.; Aims: The aims of the three-country study (USA, Australia and the UK) were to assess whether caregiver […]

Chang, Esther, Easterbrook, Sally, Hancock, Karen, Johnson, Amanda, Davidson, Patricia

The need for improved communication around end-of-life issues has been identified in cancer care. However, caregivers assisting those with dementia have been given scant attention. This study investigated the application of a new dementia information booklet for family caregivers, accessing those that were both community-based and linked to a residential aged-care facility through the distribution […]

Trollor, Julian N., Smith, Evelyn, Agars, Emmeline, Kuan, Stacey A., Baune, Bernhard T., Campbell, Lesley, Samaras, Katherine, Crawford, John, Lux, Ora, Kochan, Nicole A., Brodaty, Henry, Sachdev, Perminder

Inflammation may contribute to cognitive decline and dementia. This study examined the cross-sectional relationships between markers of systemic inflammation (C-reactive protein, interleukins-1β, -6, -8, -10, -12, plasminogen activator inhibitor, serum amyloid A, tumour necrosis factor-α and vascular adhesion molecule-1) and cognitive function in 873 non-demented community-dwelling elderly participants aged 70-90 years. Regression analyses were performed […]

Nair, Balakrishnan Kichu, Heim, Christian, Krishnan, Chitra, D'Este, Catherine, Marley, John, Attia, John

Aim: To study the effect of Baroque music in people with dementia.; Methods: Patients in a multicultural dementia-specific aged care facility were subjected to Baroque music in a cross-over study.; Results: There were significantly more behavioural disturbances during the weeks when Baroque music was played compared to control periods (0.2 more episodes per week, P […]

Low, Lee-Fay, Goodenough, Belinda, Fletcher, Jennifer, Xu, Kenny, Casey, Anne-Nicole, Chenoweth, Lynn, Fleming, Richard, Spitzer, Peter, Bell, Jean-Paul, Brodaty, Henry

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of humor therapy assessed using observational methods on agitation, engagement, positive behaviors, affect, and contentment. DESIGN: Single-blind cluster randomized controlled trial. SETTING: A total of 35 Sydney nursing homes. PARTICIPANTS: All eligible residents within geographically defined areas within each nursing home were invited to participate. INTERVENTION: Professional “ElderClowns” provided 9 […]