A Biopsychosocial-Ecological Framework for Family-Framed Dementia Care.

The biopsychosocial model has been applied through collaborative care dementia models to the diagnosis, symptom management, and treatment of dementia with a focus specifically on the person with dementia. Because individuals with dementia are increasingly dependent upon others particularly as the illness advances, dementia care requires the involvement and commitment of others, usually family, along with support from community-based resources. Hence, the quality and effectiveness of a person's dementia care are shaped in large part by the foundation of family relationships and the social and community networks in which they are embedded.

Physical activity intervention for older adults with intellectual disability: report on a pilot project.

A 12-week pilot project on physical activity was introduced in a day habilitation setting to a group of 12 older adults with intellectual disability and a variety of physical and behavioral conditions. Our purpose was to determine whether (a) this intervention would positively impact physical function in this population, (b) consumers would choose to participate in physical activity sessions, and (c) day habilitation staff could sustain this program beyond the intervention period. Findings indicate that 92% of participants experienced improvement in at least one domain of physical function, physical activity sessions remained a popular activity choice for consumers, and many participants sustained functional gains 1 year after habilitation staff assumed responsibility for sessions.

Dementia consults: predictors of compliance by primary care physicians.

This study was designed to determine rates of primary care physician compliance with recommendations made by physician-consultants at an Alzheimer's disease center. A mail survey was sent to primary care physicians, who were asked to indicate which recommendations had been implemented and to select reasons for lack of adherence. The response rate was 53 percent (49/92).