What is it about?
We are reviewing the scientific literature in order to learn what is known about screening tools for vision and hearing loss that can be used in older adults that have any form of dementia. Most screening tools for sensory loss are not necessarily useable with dementia patients, and we are planning to develop a measure that can be used with this population.
Featured Image
Photo by Eepeng Cheong on Unsplash
Why is it important?
As the population demographics are shifting, more older adults with dementia receive care; however, age-related vision and hearing loss can have the same symptoms as dementia and it is not always obvious to separate one from the other. Therefore, we need to develop suitable sensory screening tools that can be used with dementia patients, in order to identify individuals that require sensory rehabilitation services and appropriate referral.
Perspectives
Here, we present the protocol for our study, and we expect that the preliminary results will be available and published during 2017.
Dr Walter Wittich
Universite de Montreal
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Hearing and vision screening tools for long-term care residents with dementia: protocol for a scoping review, BMJ Open, July 2016, BMJ,
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2016-011945.
You can read the full text:
Resources
The Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging
The Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging (CCNA) provides the infrastructure and support that facilitates collaboration amongst Canada’s top dementia researchers. By accelerating the discovery, innovation, and the adoption of new knowledge, the CCNA positions Canada as a global leader in increasing understanding of neurodegenerative diseases, working towards prevention, and improving the quality of life of those living with dementia.
CCNA Team 17: Interventions at the Sensory and Cognitive Interface
The team’s research focuses on the role of sensory function (hearing, vision, and olfaction) in older adults who live with, or are at risk of developing, dementia. Sensory difficulties are common in older adults and have important implications for their cognitive function, brain function, and everyday activities. This team studies the interaction between sensory loss and cognitive function – i.e., the challenges this presents for cognitive assessment and early detection of dementia, as well as the implications for quality of life (including communication and interaction with others). For this, the team uses a number of research approaches, including analyzing large databases (e.g., the CCNA’s signature study COMPASS-ND, the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging, the Canadian Institute for Health Information), as well as experimental studies, experimental interventions, and qualitative interviews.
CCNA Team 17 Video
This video describes the research focus of Team 17 (Interventions at the Sensory-Cognitive Interface) in the Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration and Aging (http://ccna-ccnv.ca/), where Walter Wittich is team co-leader with Natalie Phillips
Contributors
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