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Background: Social health in the context of dementia has recently gained interest. The development of a social health conceptual framework at the individual and social environmental levels, has revealed a critical need for a further exploration of social health markers that can be used in the development of dementia intervention and to construct social health measures. Objective: To identify social health markers in the context of dementia. Method: This international qualitative study included six countries: Australia, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Poland, and the Netherlands. Using purposive sampling, three to five cases per countrywere recruitedtothe study, witheachcase consisting of a person living with dementia, a primary informal caregiver, an active network member, and a health care professional involved in the care of the person with dementia. In-depth interviews, using an agreed topic guide, and content analysis were conducted to identify known and new social health markers. The codes were then categorized against our conceptual framework of social health. Results: Sixty-seven participants were interviewed. We identified various social health markers, ranging from those that are commonly used in epidemiological studies such as loneliness to novel markers of social health at the individual and the social environmental level. Examples of novel individual-level markers were efforts to comply with social norms and making own choices in, for example, keeping contact or refusing support. At a social environmental level, examples of novel markers were proximity (physical distance) and the function of the social network of helping the person maintaining dignity. Conclusions: The current study identified both well-known and novel social health markers in the context of dementia, mapped to the social health framework we developed. Future research should focus on translating these markers into validated measures and on developing social health focused interventions for persons with dementia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors used a modified Simon task (J. R. Simon, 1969) to assess the automatic recognition of handedness. Participants responded to the color of a circle in the center of the photograph of a right or a left hand, displayed in the center of the computer screen. A regular Simon effect was found for back views, whereas a reverse Simon effect was found for palm views. This pattern of results was found when the forearm was present (Experiment 2), when 1 finger at a time was rendered invisible (Experiment 3), and when the hands were connected to a body image (Experiment 4). When the hands were cut at the wrist, no effect emerged (Experiment 1). These findings suggest an automatic encoding of the relative position of the hand in relation to the body (imaginary or real) rather than the automatic encoding of handedness.

In the context of Italian aging population, clinical psychology can play a crucial role in enabling older adults to cope with the multiple challenges associated with the aging process and disease-related issues. This manifesto was written by the 'Clinical Psychology of Aging' working group, which is part of the Italian Association of Psychology (AIP) consisting of academic experts in this field who collaborated to elaborate the contents highlighting the most relevant dimensions of the clinical psychology of aging. Specifically, the aging process was addressed from multiple points of view (i.e., theoretical perspectives, multidimensional assessment, interventions), and the role of the clinical psychologists in the National Health System along with training issues were discussed in the attempt to specify the unique contribution of the clinical psychology in aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic and public health measures caused serious consequences for several population cohorts, including people with dementia in care homes and their families. The aim of this study was to explore the impact of COVID-19 on care home residents with dementia as experienced by family carers in Italy. Specifically, strategies implemented to overcome the pandemic's constraints, their influence upon care, and consequences for everyday life of residents with dementia and carers were investigated. Semi-structured interviews explored participants' experiences of the pandemic, its restrictions and the services' status during lockdown. Transcripts were analysed via thematic analysis. 26 family carers were interviewed. Three themes emerged: (1) COVID-19 restrictions negatively affected both residents with dementia and family carers, (2) Changing policies in care homes during COVID-19, and (3) Technology use in care homes during COVID-19. COVID-19 restrictions severely affected care home residents with dementia, disrupted their daily living, and accelerated their cognitive decline. Consequently carers' emotional burdens increased. Care home response strategies (safe visiting and digital solutions) were critical, though they were not enough to compensate for the lack of close in-person contacts. Mixed evidence emerged about the feasibility of care home strategies and their associated benefits. To meet arising needs and possible future pandemic waves, there is a need for updated health strategies. These should prioritise a continuity of therapeutic activities and minimize negative effects on residents' quality of life, whilst incorporating feasible and accessible digital solutions to provide remote communication and psychological support for family carers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although young-onset dementia (YOD) affects the whole family system, this population is still under-represented in literature, and no progress in care provision has been made. Hence, additional evidence is necessary to understand how family and social relationships are affected by YOD and care challenges, as to provide recommendations for clinical practice and service improvement from a family perspective. Family carers were recruited via one memory clinic and the local Alzheimer's Associations in Italy. Semi-structured interviews explored their experiences with YOD, the impact of the condition on their lives, family and social relationships, and the support and care they received. Transcripts were coded by three researchers and analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Thirty-eight interviews were conducted with 26 spouses and 12 adult children. Three themes emerged: 1) Problems around diagnosis, 2) Lack of post-diagnostic support, and 3) Living with YOD as a family. Overall, problems occurred across the dementia pathway. Without appropriate support, it was difficult for families to adjust to living with YOD and to the associated changes in family roles and relationships. Since optimal care depends on good family relationships, better support for families in the adaptation to condition would likely benefit patient care while ensuring social inclusion and health equity for vulnerable groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]