Heritability in frontotemporal dementia: more missing pieces?

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is reportedly highly heritable, even though a recognized genetic cause is often absent. To explain this contradiction, we explored the "strength" of family history in FTD, Alzheimer's disease (AD), and controls. Clinical syndromes associated with heritability of FTD and AD were also examined.

Assessing quality of life of older people with dementia in long-term care: a comparison of two self-report measures.

Aims And Objectives: This study sought to compare two well-known and well-used self-report quality of life questionnaires in terms of completion rates, reliability and assessment of quality of life.

Background: People with dementia have a meaningful experience of quality of life and several disease-specific instruments have been designed to capture self-report assessments.

Design: A quantitative survey design, with a convenience sample of older people with dementia from four long-term care facilities.

Dementia and loneliness: an Australian perspective.

Aim: To explore the perceptions of loneliness according to people with early-stage dementia, living in community and long-term care and also the views of their family carers.

Background: Research that specifically explores the influence of loneliness on dementia is limited and indicates the prevalence of loneliness and the negative relationship between loneliness and cognitive decline. There is a paucity of research that explores loneliness from the perspective of the person with dementia.

Addressing loneliness in a retirement village community: a pilot test of a print-delivered intervention.

Aim: To explore perceptions of a self-help print-delivered intervention aimed at encouraging social well-being and addressing loneliness in a retirement village community.

Method: A total of 58 residents of an Australian retirement village received a series of five factsheets addressing various dimensions of loneliness.

Results: The factsheets raised awareness of the importance of social well-being and loneliness.

Acute care management of older people with dementia: a qualitative perspective.

Aim And Objectives: This Australian study explored management for older people with dementia in an acute hospital setting.

Background: As the population ages, increasing numbers of older people with dementia are placed into an acute care hospital to manage a condition other than dementia. These people require special care that takes into account the unique needs of confused older people.