Examines three common disorders, dementia, depression, and delirium, which can be particularly difficult to diagnose in older adults. Presents three aspects that are helpful in making a decision: age-related differences, medical issues that need to be ruled out, and assessment methods particularly useful in the diagnostic process. (JPS)

Delineates a process model for mental-health counselors to follow in formulating a differential diagnosis of dementia and depression in adults 65 years and older. The model is derived from empirical, theoretical, and clinical sources of evidence. Explores components of the clinical interview, of hypothesis formation, and of hypothesis testing.…

This study examined the validity of the Severe Impairment Battery (SIB) for measuring cognitive decline in clients with Down syndrome with 10 individuals showing behavioral decline on a standard measure and 14 individuals without such decline. On the SIB, the deteriorating group showed a significant decline between baseline and 12 and 24 months…

The aim of the study was to investigate the utility of the Tower of London-Drexel (TOL DX ) in assessing the executive deficits associated with Parkinsons disease (PD). We sought to determine whether the TOL DX would differentiate between (a) patients with PD and healthy control participants (HCP), (b) demented and nondemented patients, and (c)…

Recent neuropsychological evidence, supporting a strong version of Whorfian principles of linguistic relativity, has reinvigorated debate about the role of language in colour categorisation. This paper questions the methodology used in this research and uses a novel approach to examine the unique contribution of language to categorisation…

Purpose: This study explored whether adult day service (ADS) use was associated with reductions in behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) in individuals with dementia. Design and Methods: We used a quasi-experimental design to compare a group of 133 persons with dementia (PWDs) who initially enrolled in an ADS program to a…

Early differential diagnosis of dementia is becoming increasingly important as new pharmacologic therapies are developed, as these treatments are not equally effective for all types of dementia. Early detection and differential diagnosis also facilitates informed family decision making and timely access to appropriate services. Information about…

Purpose: This study explored aspects of stigmatization for older adults who live in residential care or assisted living (RC-AL) communities and what these settings have done to address stigma. Design and Methods: We used ethnography and other qualitative data-gathering and analytic techniques to gather data from 309 participants (residents, family…

Study of caregivers of people with dementia suggests that the depression so frequently described in the literature may not be as severe or clinically significant as previously thought and may be described as anticipatory grief. Results may assist practitioners in planning and evaluating the effectiveness of clinical interventions. (RJM)

Presents the results of administering the Direct Awareness of Functional Abilities (DAFA) and the Pfeefer Activities Questionnaire to 28 demented, and 15 control subjects. Results show that the DAFA may provide a more objective measure of functional status in demented subjects than is provided by indirect methods of assessment. (MKA)

Describes a two-year collaborative project that improved the reporting and management of potential and suspected elder abuse situations involving persons with dementia. The educational curriculum and cross training program as well as the handbook for caregivers are discussed. Project organization, implementation, and evaluation are also discussed…

Confrontation naming is impaired in neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer's disease (AD), frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and corticobasal degeneration (CBD). Some behavioural observations suggest a common source of impaired naming across these patient groups, while others find partially unique patterns of naming difficulty. We hypothesized…

This study investigated the frequency and severity of challenging behaviour in adults with Down's syndrome with and without signs of dementia. Care staff were interviewed using the Aberrant Behaviour Checklist-Community version (M.G. Aman & N.N. Singh, Slosson, East Aurora, NY, 1994), to investigate the frequency and severity of challenging…

The authors sought to modify and apply Pearlin et al.'s "Stress and Coping Framework" model (which was designed to guide research on family caregiving) to research that could help them understand the experiences of staff carers of persons with intellectual disabilities affected by dementia. The authors, two experienced researchers and…

Dementia status of 273 adults with mental retardation was rated based upon two extensive evaluations conducted 18 months apart. Overall, 184 individuals did not have dementia, 33 had possible or definite dementia, and 66 had findings suggesting uncertain or questionable status. These ratings were compared to binary classifications (dementia vs. no…