22/05/06 - New Tool Gives Better Insight Into Effects Of Dementia
Medical professionals will now be able to detect subtle
changes in the quality of life of people with mild dementia, thanks
to a new self-assessment technique that will help improve the timing
of additional help and support.
One of the major problems with dementia is that it is difficult to assess
the true impact on the person with the condition, particularly because
worsening health does not inevitably lead to a reduction in quality
of life.
However those whose quality of life is affected should soon be identified
more easily, thanks to new research.
The new technique, developed by researchers from the Research Institute
for the Care of the Elderly and the University of Bath, will allow patients
to self-report their quality of life, providing valuable information
about the experience of dementia from the perspective of the person
with the condition.
This will enable medical professionals to help patients manage their
condition more effectively, offering advice regarding additional support
or care, so that any intervention more closely reflects the true needs
of the patient.
The assessment, which has been developed with funding from the Alzheimer's
Society, is carried out as an interview with the patient, in which they
answer a series of questions about different aspects of their life,
using a simple response scale.
“For medical professionals and family members it can be very difficult
trying to understand how a condition like dementia is affecting the
quality of life of a person,” said Dr Richard Trigg from the University
of Bath who developed the assessment.
“Dementia can affect different people in many different ways and we
cannot assume that all people with dementia will have a negative quality
of life.
“It is therefore essential that we find ways to assess quality of life,
using information obtained directly from the person with dementia, if
we are to properly understand the impact of the condition.
“By monitoring quality of life changes, medical professionals can chart
the effectiveness of different treatments and therapies and more accurately
determine when those interventions should be delivered.
“This is crucial to enabling the effective management of this cruel
disease” Information about the Bath Assessment of Subjective Quality
of Life in Dementia (BASQID), is available to download from: http://www.rice.org.uk/BASQID.html
Source : Medical News Today
