long-term care

The well-documented therapeutic potential of group singing for patients living with Alzheimer’s disease (PLAD) has been hindered by COVID-19 restrictions, exacerbating loneliness and cognitive decline among seniors in residential and long-term care centers (CHSLDs). Addressing this challenge, the multidisciplinary study aims to develop a patient-oriented virtual reality (XR) interaction system facilitating group singing for mental health support during confinement and enhancing the understanding of the links between Alzheimer’s disease, social interaction, and singing. The researchers also propose to establish an early AD detection system using voice, facial, and non-invasive biometric measurements and validate the efficacy of selected intervention practices. The methodology involves co-designing an intelligent environment with caregivers to support PLAD mental health through online group singing, addressing existing constraints in CHSLDs. The researchers will engage volunteers in remote singing interactions and validate the impact of voice stimulation for PLADs using a control group. The primary expected outcome is the development of an “Intelligent Learning Health Environment,” fostering interactions while adapting to individual PLAD situations and incrementally accumulating knowledge on AD signs. This environment will facilitate the transfer of knowledge and technologies to promote non-verbal interactions via singing, enabling intervention at the first symptoms. Additionally, the research will contribute to transforming CHSLDs’ living environments, informed by neuroscience insights, and potentially extend the “collaborative self-care” approach to support seniors in aging safely and healthily at home.

As a neurodegenerative disorder, Parkinson’s disease (PD) is characterized by a combination of premotor, motor, and nonmotor symptoms. PD is commonly accompanied by psychosis, which is one of the commonest symptoms in the long run. As a result of Parkinson’s disease psychosis (PDP), symptoms can range from minor consequences of the disease (illusions, passage hallucinations, and presence hallucinations), to visual and nonvisual hallucinations and delusions. PDP is associated with a reduction in function and a reduction in quality of life as well. It is commonly believed that PDP is related to economic burden, and it has a significant impact on the utilization of long-term care services. The main focus should be on diagnosing, classifying, and managing PDP in an appropriate manner. As a first step in the management of PDP patients, the emphasis should be on identifying and treating any contributing medical factors, reducing or discontinuing medications that could cause or worsen psychosis, as well as nonpharmacological strategies and considering acetylcholinesterase inhibitors for treatment when dementia is present. A number of medications are being considered for use in PDP, including pimavanserin, quetiapine, and clozapine. The purpose of the current review is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the disorder in the general population with PD, including epidemiology, psychotic symptoms, risk factors, triggers, neuro-signaling pathways, diagnosis, and treatment of PDP.

The need to provide Long-Term Care (LTC) for growing elderly populations is a public policy issue in all industrialized countries. Unlike other OECD countries, the U.S. lacks a foundation for universal LTC benefits. Much can be learned by examining other industrialized countries. LTC systems. In this paper, we will examine how other countries' provide LTC services for their glowing elderly populations, finance the costs of LTC services, determine eligibility for services, and encourage and support informal caregivers.

Background: Long-term care for patients with chronic kidney disease, whether in the pre or post-dialysis period, has a destructive impact on patients and their caregivers that can significantly worsen their quality of life. Objectives: To assess the quality of life (QOL) among caregivers of children suffering from chronic kidney disease and to identify the possible factors affecting their quality of life. Subjects and methods: Between March 2023 and May 2023, a cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted at King Saud Medical City for caregivers of all pediatric patients aged from 6 months to 14 years with CKD stage-3B and beyond who have been followed up for at least three months in the pre or post-dialysis period since 2015. The study applied the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF) to evaluate the caregivers’ quality of life. Result: A total of 95 caregivers were involved in the study. The age ranged between 24 and 53 years, with an arithmetic mean of 39.3 and a standard deviation of (± 6.6) years, and almost two-thirds (65.3%) were Saudi nationals. Most pediatric patients were on peritoneal renal dialysis (41%), whereas 29.5% were on hemodialysis. The mean and SD of the overall score was 56.10 ± 17.40 out of a possible range of 0-100. Regarding its domains, the highest score was observed regarding the social domain (62.11 ± 21.12), whereas the lowest was the physical domain (49.55 ± 18.42). After controlling for confounding, married, high socio-economic, and more educated caregivers have higher QOL scores than singles, low socio-economic, and lower knowledgeable caregivers, and the three factors together were responsible for approximately 41% variability of the QOL score (r – square = 0.406). Bivariate Pearson correlation showed significant correlations among different quality-of-life domains (p < 0.001). Conclusion: There was a significant association between quality-of-life scores and demographic characteristics of chronic kidney disease caregivers; they need the highest support to cope with their delicate patients.