[DOES SCREENING FOR DEPRESSION AS A QUALITY MEASUREMENT IMPACT DIAGNOSIS RATE OF DEPRESSION IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING REHABILITATION FOLLOWING A STROKE].

Background: The Israeli National Program for Quality Measures determined the need for screening for depression during rehabilitation following stroke as a quality measure in the elderly; this is in order to better diagnose and treat post-stroke depression. The study's goal was to investigate whether adding screening for depression had an effect on the rate of diagnosis. Depression is a culture-dependent phenomenon, therefore the change in the rate of diagnosis of depression in the Arab population and the Jewish population was examined separately.

The clock-drawing test: normative data in adult and elderly Israeli Arabs.

Aim: Despite the widespread use of the clock-drawing test (CDT), normative data and information regarding the influence of sociodemographic factors on test performance by adult and elderly Israeli Arabs are lacking. The current study aimed to establish normative data for this population group by exploring the impact of sociodemographic factors such as age, education, and gender on CDT performance. In addition, this study examined the association between CDT performance and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores.

Effect of rivastigmine on mobility of patients with higher-level gait disorder: a pilot exploratory study.

Background: Higher-level gait disorder (HLGD) in older adults is characterized by postural instability, stepping dysrhythmicity, recurrent falls and progressive immobility. Cognitive impairments are frequently associated with HLGD.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare gait and cognitive performance before and after the use of rivastigmine in patients with HLGD, free from cognitive impairment or Parkinsonism.

Differences in diagnosis, follow-up and treatment of patients with dementia living in the peripheral areas compared with the central areas of Israel.

We compared data regarding diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of patients with dementia in the central and the peripheral areas of Israel. Data were collected from the medical records of 164 patients with advanced dementia, all residents of dementia special care units - 97 patients from a central nursing home and 67 patients from the peripheral areas. The data collected related to the period prior to hospitalization and included: demographic data, imaging tests, follow-up by a memory clinic and drug treatment prior to admission.