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Background:Antipsychotic drugs (APD) are widely prescribed for people with dementia residing in long term care facilities (LTCFs). Concern has been expressed that such prescribing is largely inappropriate. The objective of this study is to examine if differences in facility-level prevalence of APD use in a sample of LTCFs for patients with dementia can be explained by patient and facility-related characteristics.Methods:A point prevalence study was conducted using data from the VU University Resident Assessment Instrument (VURAI) database from nursing homes and residential care facilities in the Netherlands. Patients were selected who had a diagnosis of dementia. LTCF and patient characteristics were extracted from the VURAI; facility-level resident satisfaction surveys were provided by the National Institute for Public Health.Results:In total, 20 LTCFs providing care for 1,090 patients with dementia were investigated. Overall, 31% of patients used an APD. In facilities with a high prevalence of APD use behavioral symptoms were present in 62% of their patients. In facilities with medium APD use behavioral problems remained frequent (57%), and in facilities with low prevalence of APD use 54% of the patients had behavioral symptoms. Facilities with a high prevalence of APD use were often large, situated in urban communities, and scored below average on staffing, personal care, and recreational activities.Conclusions:There was considerable variation between the participating LTCFs in the prevalence of APD use. Variability was related to LTCF characteristics and patient satisfaction. This indicates potential inappropriate prescribing because of differences in institutional prescribing culture. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: In this paper, we aim to test the long-term benefit of an integrative reactivation and rehabilitation (IRR) program compared to usual care in terms of improved psychogeriatric patients on multiple psychiatric symptoms (MPS) and of caregivers on burden and competence. Improvement was defined as >30% improvement (≥ a half standard deviation) compared to baseline.Methods: We used the following outcome variables: difference in the number of improved patients on MPS (Neuropsychiatric Inventory, NPI) and improved caregivers on burden (Caregiver Burden, CB) and competence (Caregiver Competence List, CCL). Assessments were taken after intake (T1) and after six months of follow-up (T3). Risk ratios (RR), number needed to treat (NNT), and odds ratios (ORs) were calculated.Results: IRR had a significant positive effect on NPI-cluster hyperactivity (RR 2.64; 95% CI: 1.26-5.53; NNT 4.07). In the complete cases analysis, IRR showed significant ORs of 2.80 on the number of NPI symptoms and 3.46 on the NPI-sum-severity; up to 76% improved patients. For caregivers, competence was a significant beneficiary in IRR (RR 2.23; 95% CI: 1.07-4.62; NNT 5.07). In the complete cases analysis, the ORs were significantly in favor of IRR on general burden and competence (ORs range: 2.40-4.18), with up to 71% improved caregivers.Conclusion: IRR showed a significantly higher probability of improvement with a small NNT of four on multiple psychiatric symptoms in psychogeriatric patients. The same applies to the higher probability to improve general burden and competence of the caregiver with an NNT of five. The results were even more pronounced for those who fully completed the IRR program. (Inter)national psychogeriatric nursing home care and ambulant care programs have to incorporate integrative psychotherapeutic interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aims: The prevalence of multiple psychiatric symptoms (MPS) in psychogeriatric patients is about 80%. MPS have negative effects on caregivers; 70-80% of caregivers are moderately to heavily burdened. We tested an integrative psychotherapeutic programme (IRR) focused on MPS as well as caregiver burden. To develop decision rules in indicating IRR, prognostic potentialities of diagnostic and functional baseline variables for a favourable outcome of IRR were identified. Methods: Patients with a DSM-IV classification of dementia, amnestic disorders or other cognitive disorders were followed in a randomised controlled trial, comparing IRR (n = 81) with usual nursing home care (n = 87). Assessments at T1 (intake) and T2 (6 months' follow-up). Results: In the combined prognostic models Alzheimer dementia showed significant prognostic qualities for improvement on NPI sum severity (OR 3.01), IRR on general burden and competence of caregiver (OR 2.29 and 3.34). Cognitive functions had low prognostic value. Conclusion: Prognostic modelling of positive change on severity of MPS and caregiver burden was feasible. Applying three decision rules, all resulted in IRR as indicated intervention. It seems justified to refer psychogeriatric patients suffering from a broad range of cognitive function disorders, specifically patients with dementia of the Alzheimer type, to the IRR programme. Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To study the effects of introducing a nursing guideline on depression in residents with dementia of psychogeriatric nursing home wards. Methods: A multi-center controlled clinical trial with randomization at ward level was used to study the effects of the guideline introduction. Nursing teams were trained in applying the guideline to their own residents diagnosed with depression in dementia. Key elements of the nursing guideline are increasing individualized pleasant activities and decreasing unpleasant events. Participating residents were 97 residents diagnosed with dementia and comorbid depression, from 18 psychogeriatric nursing home wards, in nine Dutch nursing homes. Measurements took place at pre-test, post-test and follow-up. Primary outcome was severity of depression measured with the MDS/RAI-Depression Rating Scale(DRS) and the Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia. Secondary outcome is mood as measured by the FACE-observation scale. Results: Compliance with the nursing guideline was moderate. Despite this, residents on the experimental wards showed a significant reduction in depression on the DRS. With the Cornell scale a reduction of depression was found as well, although not significantly different from that in the control group. No effects on observed mood were found. Conclusion: This study shows significant reductions in depression severity by introducing a nursing guideline on psychogeriatric nursing home wards. Better compliance with the guideline could probably enlarge the effects. Some ways to achieve enhanced compliance are: (1) additionally train non-certified nurse assistants, and (2) emphasize necessary conditions for successful introduction of the guideline to nursing team managers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Social engagement and depression are important outcomes for residents with dementia in long-term care. However, it is still largely unclear which differences in social engagement and depression exist in residents of various long-term care settings and how these differences may be explained. This study investigated the relationship between social engagement and depressive symptoms in long-term care dementia units, and studied whether differences in social engagement and depressive symptoms between units can be ascribed to the composition of the resident population or to differences in type of care setting.Methods: Thirty-seven long-term care units for residents with dementia in nursing- and residential homes in the Netherlands participated in the study. Social engagement and depressive symptoms were measured for 502 residents with the Minimum Data Set of the Resident Assessment Instrument. Results were analyzed using multilevel analysis.Results: Residents of psychogeriatric units in nursing homes experienced low social engagement. Depressive symptoms were most often found in residents of psychogeriatric units in residential homes. Multilevel analyses showed that social engagement and depressive symptoms correlated moderately on the level of the units. This correlation disappeared when the characteristics of residents were taken into account.Conclusions: Social engagement and depressive symptoms are influenced not only by individual characteristics but also by the type of care setting in which residents live. However, in this study social engagement and depressive symptoms were not strongly related to each other, implying that separate interventions are needed to improve both outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The clinical impact of risk score use in end-of-life settings is unknown, with reports limited to technical properties.Methods: We conducted a mixed-methods study to evaluate clinical impact of a validated mortality risk score aimed at informing prognosis and supporting clinicians in decision-making in dementia patients with pneumonia. We performed a trial (n = 69) with physician-reported outcomes referring to the score's aims. Subsequently, physician focus group discussions were planned to better understand barriers to clinical impact, and we surveyed families (n = 50) and nurses practicing in nursing homes (n = 29). We finally consulted with experts and key persons for implementation.Results: Most (71%) physicians who used the score considered it useful, but mainly for its learning effects. Families were never informed of numerical risk estimates. Two focus group discussions revealed a reluctance to use a numerical approach, and physicians found that outcomes conditional on antibiotic treatment were inadequate to support decision-making. Nurses varied in their perceived role in informing families. Most families (88%) wished to be informed, preferring a numerical (43%), verbalized (35%), or other approach (18%) or had no preference (5%). Revising the score, we added an ethical framework for decision-making to acknowledge its complexity, an explanatory note addressing barriers related to physicians’ attitudes, and a nurses’ form.Conclusion: The combined quantitative and qualitative studies elicited: substantial barriers to a numerical approach to physicians’ end-of-life decision-making; crucial information for revisions and further score development; and a need for implementation strategies that focus on education. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: To investigate the characteristics of patients in whom artificial nutrition and hydration (ANH) is forgone, duration of survival after the decision and factors that are associated with duration of survival.Methods: Observational study based on written questionnaires in 32 Dutch nursing homes. Of 178 nursing home patients with dementia, their treating nursing home physician (NHP) filled in a questionnaire directly after the decision was made to forgo ANH. The maximum follow-up was 6 weeks. Cox proportional hazards analysis was used to determine predictors of survival.Results: Decisions to forgo ANH in Dutch nursing homes were made most often in patients with severe dementia who also had an acute illness. More than half the patients (59%) died within 1 week after the decision. Patients with dyspnea and/or apathy were more likely to die during follow-up than patients without these symptoms. Patients who were considered more severely ill by the NHP were more likely to die than those who were considered less severely ill. The presence of restlessness indicated a higher chance of survival.Conclusions: The clinical judgment of the NHP of the severity of illness appeared to be a strong predictor of patient survival. NHPs should not rely solely on their clinical judgment concerning survival, but they should also consider the presence or absence of dyspnea, apathy and restlessness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article relates the study on the characteristics of Dutch nursing home patients with severe dementia in whom artificial nutrition and hydration is forgone. It was found out that patients with dyspnea and/or apathy were more likely to die during follow-up than patients without these symptoms. It was concluded that clinical judgment of the nursing home physician of the severity of illness seemed to be a strong predictor of patient survival.

Background: While there is debate about whether it may be better to forgo than to initiate artificial nutrition and hydration (ANH) in nursing home patients with severe dementia, the consequences of forgoing ANH in these patients, in particular their discomfort, have not yet been investigated. Methods: In this prospective, longitudinal, observational study of 178 patients in Dutch nursing homes, discomfort was measured at all measurement times according to the observational Discomfort Scale-Dementia of Alzheimer Type. Furthermore, at all measurement times, plausible determinants of discomfort were registered. Data were analyzed with the statistical technique of generalized estimated equations. Results: Decisions to forgo ANH were made most often in severely demented, female patients with an acute illness as the most important diagnosis at that time. The mean level of discomfort was highest at the time of the decision and decreased in the days thereafter. There were substantial differences in level of discomfort between patients. Dyspnea, restlessness, and physicians' observations of pain and dehydration were associated with higher levels of discomfort. Furthermore, patients who were awake had higher levels of observed discomfort than patients who were asleep. Conclusions: Forgoing ANH in patients with severe dementia who scarcely or no longer eat or drink seems, in general, not to be associated with high levels of discomfort. The individual differences emphasize the need for constant attention for possible discomfort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To provide an overview of QOL measures applicable for research in dementia, the scale content, method of data collection, and their psychometric properties.Method: Literature research.Results: Six dementia-specific QOL measures were identified, eight generic measures were used in a demented population, and three dementia-specific measures related to QOL are described as well. Measures vary considerably in scale content, and method of data collection. Reliability indexes were always available, support of instrument validity was often reported, but reports of responsiveness to change were found only for two dementia-specific QOL measures.Conclusion: When the interest is primarily on people with dementia, a dementia-specific instrument is to be preferred. Further clarification of the concept of QOL and particularly its relation to disease severity is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the effectiveness ofsnoezelen, integrated in 24-hour daily care, on the behavior and mood of demented nursing home residents.Quasiexperimental pre- and posttest design.Twelve psychogeriatric wards of six nursing homes, spread over different parts of the Netherlands.One hundred twenty-five patients with moderate to severe dementia and care dependency were included in the pretest and 128 in the posttest; 61 were completers (included in both pre- and posttest).Experimental subjects received an individual 24-hoursnoezelprogram, based on family history taking and stimulus preference screening. Caregivers were trained, and (organizational) adaptations were made to fulfill the conditions for resident-orientedsnoezelcare. The control group received usual nursing home care.Observations were made on the wards using subscales of the Dutch Behavior Observation Scale for Psychogeriatric Inpatients, the Dutch version of the Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory, and the Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia. Independent assessors observed video recordings of morning care and rated residents' behavior and mood using INTERACT and FACE, respectively.Residents receivingsnoezelcare demonstrated a significant treatment effect with respect to their level of apathetic behavior, loss of decorum, rebellious behavior, aggressive behavior, and depression. During morning care, the experimental subjects showed significant changes in well-being (mood, happiness, enjoyment, sadness) and adaptive behavior (responding to speaking, relating to caregiver, normal-length sentences).Snoezelcare particularly seems to have a positive effect on disturbing and withdrawn behavior. The results suggest that a 24-hour integratedsnoezelprogram has a generalizing effect on the mood and behavior of demented residents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Dutch nursing homes employ physicians who have completed a two year specialist training programme to become a qualified nursing home physician. This paper describes the origin of the profession of nursing home medicine in the context of Dutch nursing homes. Method Review of the history and development of the need for specialist physicians in care of residents in nursing homes. Examination of the competencies required and training available for physicians and the benefits of this arrangement in improving quality of care. Results Relevant skills and competencies of the specialist physician in nursing homes are discussed. The role and tasks, and the nursing home physician's method of working and providing care are explained, as well as the benefits and disadvantages of organizing medical care in this way. Conclusions The benefits of a specialist physician are considered greater than the disadvantages. Specialist training for this role is considered to be highly desirable. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose:A focus on palliative care for residents with dementia is much more common in Dutch nursing homes than in the United States. We compared treatment and mortality in U.S. and Dutch nursing home residents with lower respiratory infections (LRI), which are often the immediate cause of death in dementia. Design and Methods:We studied two prospective cohorts—a study of pneumonia (n = 706) conducted in 61 psychogeriatric nursing homes throughout the Netherlands and 701 subjects with likely dementia from a study of LRIs in 36 nursing homes in Missouri. Results:Nursing home residents with dementia were more often treated without antibiotics in the Netherlands (23%) than in Missouri (15%). Indicators of severe illness operate in opposite directions: more severe illness is associated with antibiotic treatment in the United States, but with palliative treatment without antibiotics in the Netherlands.Implications:Our findings are consistent with others in indicating problems with transition to palliative care for U.S. nursing home residents with dementia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Provides information on a study that examined the frequency and circumstances of forgoing artificial administration of food and fluids in nursing homes. Methodology of the study; Results and discussion on the study.

Abstract: Objectives: To compare available instruments and investigate which best measure the quality of end-of-life care (QOC) and quality of dying (QOD) in long term care settings, in terms of validity, reliability, and feasibility. Design: Family and professional caregivers of long term care decedents completed postdeath interviews and questionnaires between November 2007 and April 2009. Setting: Nursing home and residential care/assisted living settings in the United States and the Netherlands. Participants: Two hundred and sixty four families of decedents with (48%) and without (52%) dementia in the United States, and 70 families and 103 professional caregivers of decedents with dementia in the Netherlands. Measurements: Ten instruments to evaluate the QOC and QOD in long term care, an additional overall assessment of QOC/QOD, and an assessment of the perception of the relevance and ease of use of each instrument. Criteria for validity, reliability, and feasibility were set forth for good, intermediate, and poor performance. Results: None of the instruments scored positively on all criteria. In both countries, of the QOC instruments, the End-of-Life in Dementia-Satisfaction With Care (EOLD-SWC) best met the criteria, followed by the Family Assessment of Treatment at the End-of-Life Short Version, the Family Perception of Care Scale, and Family Perception of Physician-Family Caregiver Communication. Of the QOD instruments, the End-of-Life in Dementia–Comfort Assessment at Dying (EOLD-CAD) and Mini-Suffering State Examination (MSSE) met more of the criteria than others. The EOLD-CAD performed better on content and construct validity than the MSSE. The MSSE performed better on feasibility. Conclusion: We recommend the EOLD-SWC to measure QOC, and the EOLD-CAD and MSSE to measure QOD in populations with dementia and in mixed long term care populations of nursing home or residential care home/assisted living residents, because they performed best in both countries. Use of the same instruments allows for comparison of the results between studies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article discusses a study reviewing the literature on palliative care research in long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes (NH), in Europe, using PubMed, Embase and PsychINFO databases. Few studies reporting on patient outcome data using different measurement instruments were published in ten years. Majority showed symptoms, especially pain, the most frequent measured out-come. The authors suggest more multidimensional research, high quality trails and intervention studies.

Abstract: Objective: In some nursing home populations, antibiotic treatment may not reduce mortality following lower respiratory infection (LRI). To better inform treatment decisions, we determined influences on mortality following LRI among antibiotic-treated and non–antibiotic-treated residents in 2 populations. Design: Observational, prospective, cohort studies. Setting: Ninety-seven nursing homes (36 US, 61 Netherlands). Participants: Residents (1044 US, 513 Netherlands) who met a standardized study definition for LRI. Measurements: Demographics, symptoms and physical findings of LRI, functional status, major illness diagnoses, dementia status, treatments, and date of death within 6 months after diagnosis. Methods: We estimated a 2-period (0–14/15–90 days) weighted proportional hazards model of mortality for antibiotic-treated (n = 1280) and non–antibiotic-treated (n = 277) residents; both weights and regressors provide “doubly robust” risk adjustment—for LRI (illness) severity using a prognostic score and for nonrandom receipt of antibiotic treatment using a propensity score. Results: In both the United States and the Netherlands, 14-day mortality was associated with three factors—LRI severity, water intake at diagnosis, and antibiotic use (not directly by severe dementia)—that accounted for 82% or, sequentially, 39%, 42%, and 1% of the cross-national mortality difference. The LRI Severity Score (based only on at-diagnosis eating dependency, pulse rate, decreased alertness, and breathing difficulty, with adequate discrimination [c ≥ 0.74] and calibration, and cross-indexed to commonly used LRI mortality measures) was related to mortality through 90 days, regardless of treatment. With sufficient water intake at diagnosis, 14-day mortality was unrelated to not receiving antibiotic treatment (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR], 1.20; 95% confidence interval, 0.70–2.04); insufficient water intake was related to increased 14-day mortality with antibiotics (AHR, 1.90; 1.38–2.60) or without (AHR, 7.12; 4.83–10.5). After 14 days, relative mortality worsened for antibiotic-treated residents with insufficient water intake. Inadequate water intake was related to increased eating dependence at onset of the LRI (OR, 4.2; 3.0–5.8). Conclusion: LRI severity, water intake, and antibiotic use explain mortality in both studies and reconcile cross-study Dutch/US 14-day mortality differences. LRI severity, derived at 14 days, is related to mortality through 90 days, regardless of treatment, and is key to risk adjustment. With adequate hydration, the survival benefit from antibiotic use is nonsignificant. Conversely, hydration, even without antibiotic treatment, appears central to curative treatment. In LRI guidelines, treatment, and research, the relative benefits of antibiotics and hydration for curative treatment should be addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Successfully introducing care innovations depends on the type of care setting, the intervention and specific circumstances. In this study the factors influencing the introduction of an evidence based nursing guideline on depression in psychogeriatric nursing home residents were studied. Methods: A mixed methods multiple case study design was used. The cases consisted of nine psychogeriatric wards participating in the intervention group of a controlled clinical trial. Eight types of data source (qualitative and quantitative) were used in the analyses. Triangulation of researchers, data and methods took place. Factors were categorized according to their organizational level: nursing home management (level 1), nursing team (level 2), CNAs (level 3), and residents (level 4). Results: Factors influencing guideline introduction were mainly found at the levels of the nursing home management and the nursing team. Most factors concern stability of the organization and team (e.g. the inhibiting effects of reorganizations and other innovations), motivation (e.g. the facilitating presence of an opinion leader) and compatibility with current practice and vision (e.g. a facilitating emotion-oriented care vision). Factors influencing a successful application of the guideline are mainly found at CNA and resident level. At CNA level most factors relate to an emotion-oriented care vision (e.g. having a warm and creative personality). At resident level inhibiting factors mainly concern the residents’ health status (e.g. feeling sick and/or having much pain). Important facilitating factors are positive attitudes of relatives and observing a reduction of depression severity. Conclusions: Special facilitating factors for the guideline introduction and application seem to be the presence of a local opinion leader and the positive attitudes of relatives. Together they can motivate a nursing team in using the guideline. After a successful introduction of the guideline it''s important to focus on its consolidation in daily practice. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background: To improve care for residents with depression in dementia, an evidence based nursing guideline was developed. Using the guideline has already shown positive effects on depression in psychogeriatric nursing home residents. Objective: To study the effects of the introduction of the nursing guideline ‘depression in dementia’ on perceived professional autonomy, workload and feelings of powerlessness and confidence in Certified Nurse Assistants. Design: A multi-center controlled intervention study with randomization at ward level, using pre-test, post-test and follow-up measurements. Setting: 18 psychogeriatric wards in 9 Dutch nursing homes. Participants: : 193 Certified Nurse Assistants working on psychogeriatric nursing home wards for at least 20h per week. Methods: An evidence based guideline for nursing teams of psychogeriatric nursing home wards was introduced on nine experimental wards to reduce depression in residents diagnosed with depression in dementia. The guideline introduction consisted of team training and the installation of a promotion group. The nine control wards continued providing usual care. Primary outcomes are: (1) perceived professional autonomy and (2) experienced workload in Certified Nurse Assistants measured with the VBBA subscales ‘autonomy’ and ‘pace and amount of work’. Secondary outcomes are perceived powerlessness and confidence in caring for depressed and demented residents, using two self-developed scales. Results: The guideline introduction had a small, significant, positive effect on generally perceived professional autonomy in the Certified Nurse Assistants of the experimental wards. No short-term effects were found on generally experienced workload, or on confidence and powerlessness in caring for depressed residents with dementia. Conclusion: The introduction of the nursing guideline ‘depression in dementia’ has small, positive effects on perceived professional autonomy among the Certified Nurse Assistants. Long-term effects on experienced workload should be studied. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Aims and objectives. The aim of this study was to develop an observational scale to measure the social well-being of nursing home residents, by assessing not only the social behaviour of the resident towards others, but also the behaviour of others towards the resident. Background. Traditionally, aspects of the social well-being of nursing home residents are assessed according to the social activities and interactions where they engage. Although these are important indicators of social well-being, other important indicators may include the positive social behaviour of others towards the resident (e.g. confirming the resident’s behaviour or showing affection). Design. A cross-sectional descriptive survey design. Method. From the perspective of human social needs, items relating to fulfilment of the needs for affection, behavioural confirmation and status were formulated and tested. This took place in three nursing homes in the Netherlands that provide somatic and psycho-geriatric care. Results. The study (sample n = 306) yielded a short and reliable scale, the Social Well-being Of Nursing home residents-scale, with separate sub-scales (three items each) for fulfilment of the three social needs. Conclusions. These first results indicate that overall social well-being and its sub-dimensions can be measured with this new observational scale, although its validity needs to be confirmed. Including the social behaviour of others towards the resident may have provided a more comprehensive measure of the social well-being of nursing home residents. Relevance to clinical practice. This measure may help to underscore the importance of the social behaviour of others (e.g. caregivers) for the overall social well-being of residents and with that assist care-providers in nursing homes to improve the social well-being of the residents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: There have been very few and limited cross-national comparisons concerning pain among residents of long-term care facilities in Europe. The aim of the present cross-sectional study has been to document the prevalence of pain, its frequency and severity as well as its correlates in three European countries: Finland (north), Italy (south) and the Netherlands (western central). Patients (aged 65years or above) were assessed with the Minimum Data Set 2.0 (MDS).The final sample comprised 5761 patients from 64 facilities in Finland, 2295 patients from 8 facilities in the Netherlands and 1959 patients from 31 facilities in Italy. The prevalence of pain – defined as any type of pain – varied between 32% in Italy, 43% in the Netherlands and 57% in Finland. In nearly 50% of cases, pain was present daily; there were no significant differences in pain prevalence between patients with cancer diagnosis and those with non-cancer diagnosis. Regardless of the different prevalence estimates, pain was moderate-to-severe in over 50% of cases in all the countries. In multivariate logistic regression models, clinical correlates of pain were substantially similar across countries: pain was positively correlated with more severe physical disability (ADL impairment), clinical depression and a diagnosis of osteoporosis. Pain was negatively correlated with a diagnosis of dementia and more severe degrees of cognitive deterioration. We conclude that pain is frequently encountered in long-term care facilities in Europe and that, despite cultural and case-mix differences, pain speaks one language. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: Prognostic information is important for guiding palliative care planning for patients with dementia. We aim to validate a risk score that uses Minimum Data Set (MDS) to estimate 6-month mortality for nursing home residents with advanced dementia. Design: Two cohort studies. Setting: Six nursing homes in the Netherlands, and 35 nursing homes in Missouri. Participants: Long-term stay residents with advanced dementia: 288 Dutch residents and 269 residents from Missouri who also had a lower respiratory tract infection (LRI). Measurements: Patient risk factors and 6-month mortality. Results: Six-month mortality rates were 24.3% for Dutch residents, and 36.8% for US residents. The risk score’s AUROC was 0.65 (CI 0.58–0.72), and 0.64 (CI 0.58–0.71), respectively. For the large majority of residents, observed mortality in the 2 validation cohorts were comparable to the development cohort. Among the few residents identified as at very high risk according to the risk score, observed mortality was lower than expected. Conclusion: The original mortality risk score predicted 6-month mortality with reasonable accuracy in 2 validation cohorts of nursing home residents with advanced dementia. Thus, the performance of the risk score, at least over the range of low to moderate risk (up to around 40% risk of mortality), can be generalized to long-stay (versus recently admitted) residents with advanced dementia, and to those with LRI. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Measuring quality of life is a necessity for adequate interventions. This paper concerns the usefulness of six self-report measures for overall quality of life for nursing home residents with various levels of cognitive impairment. It was investigated which proportion of residents from four cognition groups could complete a scale, and internal consistency and construct validity of the scales were studied. Data collection took place in ten Dutch nursing homes ( N = 227). The proportion of residents that could complete each scale varied. The Depression List could be administered most often to the cognitively most impaired group (43%; Mini Mental State Examination-scores 0–4). In the three cognition groups with MMSE-score >5, internal consistency of the Depression List, Geriatric Depression Scale and Negative Affect Scale was adequate in all three groups (alpha ≥.68). Intercorrelation was highest for the Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale, the Depression List, and the Geriatric Depression Scale (rho ≥.65). Nonetheless, self-report scales were not strongly correlated with two observational scales for depression, especially in cognitively severely impaired residents (rho ≤.30). In conclusion, it may not be possible to measure overall quality of life through self-report, and possibly also through observation, in many nursing home residents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To examine long-term mortality and its determinants in nursing home residents with dementia diagnosed with a lower respiratory tract infection (LRI). Setting and Patients: US (Missouri) nursing home residents (541) and Dutch residents (403) with dementia who were treated with antibiotics for an LRI. Methods: Prospective studies of nursing home–acquired LRI in the US (Missouri) and in the Netherlands. Measurements included demographics, indicators of acute illness, general health condition, intake problems, and comorbid disease. Six-month mortality rates were calculated and Cox proportional hazards models were developed for mortality up to 2 years after diagnosis. Results: Six-month mortality was 48.8% among Dutch residents and 36.4% among US residents. After multivariable adjustment, Dutch nationality was not associated with higher long-term mortality. Variables most strongly associated with long-term mortality were activity of daily living dependency and male gender. Other variables associated with outcome were diverse: respiratory difficulty, age, dehydration, congestive heart failure, decreased alertness, decubitus ulcers, Parkinson disease, weight loss/poor nutrition, and pulse rate. Conclusion: LRI is followed by substantial mortality in the months after diagnosis, indicating high frailty of nursing home residents with dementia who develop LRI. A variety of patient characteristics, including many not directly related to LRI, were consistently associated with long-term mortality in two cohorts with differing illness severity. The results are relevant for informing families, evaluating poor long-term survival in the context of care and treatment, and balancing the potential burdens and benefits of care. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background and Objective: Generalizability of clinical predictors for mortality from lower respiratory infection (LRI) in nursing home residents has not been assessed for residents with dementia. Study Design and Setting: In prospective cohort studies of LRI in 61 nursing homes in the Netherlands (n = 541) and 36 nursing homes in Missouri, USA (n = 564), we examined 14-day and 1- and 3-month mortality in residents with dementia who were treated with antibiotics. Results: A logistic model predicting 14-day mortality derived from Dutch data included eating dependency, elevated pulse, decreased alertness, respiratory difficulty, insufficient fluid intake, high respiratory rate, male gender, and pressure sores. After adjusting coefficients with the heuristic shrinkage factor, the 14-day model showed good discrimination and calibration in both datasets. The apparent c-statistic for the original Dutch model was 0.80 (after correction for optimism, it was 0.75); the c-statistic was 0.74 in the U.S. validation population. The models predicting 1- and 3-month mortality showed moderate performance. A scoring system for estimating 14-day mortality performed equally well as the original model. Conclusion: We identified a set of credible clinical predictors that are easily assessed and demonstrated validity in identifying residents at low risk of dying from LRI across different nursing home populations. This tool should inform decision-making for families and doctors. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objectives: To determine the role and influence of participants in the decision making to start or forgo artificial nutrition and hydration (ANH) in demented nursing home patients.Methods: Participant observation by two researchers in two Dutch nursing homes.Results: The most common participants in the ANH decision making are the nursing home physician (NHP), family, and (most frequently attending) nurses. Both the process and outcome depend on the specific orientation of participants to the decision-making process, to starting or forgoing ANH and interactions between participants. The NHP has the greatest influence. Most NHPs try to achieve consensus among all participants, and emotions and feelings of the family play an important role in this respect.Discussion: The NHP seems to be the most obvious person to lead the ANH decision. It is important that participants are aware of the influence of emotions so that they can determine to what extent it is acceptable that personal feelings influence the final decision. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: Comparing characteristics of a favorable sedation course during palliative sedation to a less favorable course based on the reports Dutch physicians and nurses., Results: Cases identified as having a favorable sedation course less often concerned a male patient (P = .019 nurses' cases), reached the intended sedation depth significantly quicker (P < .05 both nurses and physicians' cases), reached a deeper level of sedation (P = .015 physicians' cases), and had a shorter total duration of sedation compared (P < .001 physicians' cases) to patients with a less favorable sedation course., Conclusions: A favorable course during palliative sedation seems more probable when health care professionals report on a (relatively) shorter time to reach the required depth of sedation and when a deeper level of sedation can be obtained., (© The Author(s) 2013.)

Objective: To analyse possible trends in families' evaluations of the quality of end-of-life care and the quality of dying in dementia., Design: Analysis of individual patient data from 3 studies (2 solely retrospective (after death) and 1 partly prospective)., Method: We combined data on 372 residents with dementia from 38 nursing homes and 13 residential homes ('psychogeriatric' wards) over the period 2005-2010. Outcome measures were the End-of-Life in Dementia-Satisfaction With Care scale (EOLD-SWC; range: 10-40) to assess quality of, or satisfaction with, end-of-life care, and the EOLD-Comfort Assessment in Dying scale (EOLD-CAD; range: 12-42) to assess quality of dying (comfort). Regression analyses were performed with time (trend) as an independent factor and were adjusted for clustering of residents within homes. We also adjusted for differences between residents, homes, and study designs., Results: We found a consistent trend of increasing family satisfaction with end-of-life care over the years (unadjusted: 0.5 points per year increment on the EOLD-SWC, and adjusted: 1.2 points; mean total score: 32.4 (SD: 5.3)). Results for the EOLD-CAD scale (mean: 32.2 (SD: 5.7)) were inconclusive; only the exclusively retrospective data indicated increased comfort. Item- and subscale-level analyses showed that, in particular, families were more satisfied with general (comfort) measures for residents and the emotional support provided for families; further, families reported lower levels of emotional distress in residents., Conclusion: We found a positive trend of increased satisfaction with end-of-life care. Families also reported a possible increase in residents' end-of-life comfort. Ongoing surveillance of outcomes measuring end-of-life quality is important in view of the increasing healthcare budget constraints.