by Sara Schatz  and Melvin Gonzalez Rivera

Received: 15 March 2019;  Published: 13 August 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1903069

Pragmatic competence includes the capacity to express illocutionary force and successfully achieve perlocutionary effects, in order to guarantee fully functional communication exchanges. Improved pragmatic competence in patients has been found in patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and early to moderate Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) in the domains of jokes, self-expression and empathy after extended, targeted intranasal insulin therapy. In this paper it is argued that extended intra-nasal insulin treatment can [...]

by Stephen Ames

Received: 08 April 2019;  Published: 13 August 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1903068

Thirty years ago, Tom Kitwood proposed a change in the care of people with dementia, from ‘warehousing’ to ‘person-centred care’. The change had noticeable benefits for those with dementia. Kitwood set out his presuppositions for this change. For example, Kitwood understood personhood as the standing or status bestowed on one human being by others in the context of relationships and social being and held that respect for the absolute value of each person is a key theme in Western ethical discourse. He was clear thi [...]

by Shira Peleg  and Howard Litwin

Received: 23 March 2019;  Published: 12 August 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1903067

Background: Differential effects of the characteristics of social network on limitations with activities (LWA) and the quality of life (QOL) among older adults, and the moderating role of depression were studied. Methods: The data obtained from two consecutive waves of the Survey of Health, Aging, and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) was examined. Results: Emotional closeness, satisfaction with the social network, and contact frequency were able to predict the QOL and not LWA. Moreover, depression was observed to moder [...]

by Garuth Chalfont  , Jane Simpson  , Sarah Davies  , David Morris  , Ruth Wilde  , Leigh Willoughby  and Christine Milligan

Received: 08 April 2019;  Published: 07 August 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1903066

The dominant narrative around dementia argues that progression cannot be halted or reversed. However, evidence on multimodal non-pharmacological treatments formulated around a ‘personalised medicine’ approach challenges this view. This paper reviews the current evidence for dementia prevention utilising such treatments and explains the logic of applying personalised medicine. The functional medicine treatment approach to ‘root cause’ analysis is presented as currently practiced with patients experiencing cognitive [...]

by Hsueh-Fen S. Kao  and Maria A. Amaya

Received: 19 May 2019;  Published: 07 August 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1903065

Background: In 2016, Hispanic/Latino (H/L) Americans made up 8% of the older population (≥65) and 22.9% of the oldest population (≥85) in the United States. It is projected that the older H/L population will grow to 21% by 2060. Currently the older H/L population depends primarily on their families for care. Methods: Review published caregiving models for older adults in H/L populations. Results: Gradual and inevitable acculturation of H/L caregivers to U.S. social customs, and the mutual relationship within the [...]

by Ian Macreadie  and Sudip Dhakal

Received: 05 May 2019;  Published: 17 July 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1903064

The yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the model eukaryote, has provided much understanding of molecular and cellular biology, as well as insights into many human diseases. In this paper we review how yeast studies are contributing to knowledge about the role of oxidative damage to cell health, and how one of the key players in Alzheimer’s disease, amyloid beta (Aβ) is linked to the reactive oxygen species response involving AHP1, which encodes an alkyl hydroperoxidase, Ahp1p, a protein involved in protect [...]

by Mario D. Garrett

Received: 12 June 2019;  Published: 16 July 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1903063

Simplifying the cause of Alzheimer’s disease has lulled the public into believing that the search for a cure is within reach. The disease has captured the attention of researchers worldwide, catapulting the disease as the third most funded research interest (after cancer and HIV). But after a century of pharmacological failures in stopping or slowing the disease, there is a need to examine how the simplified cause evolved and to explore alternate approaches to understanding Alzheimer’s disease. Going beyond the nar [...]

by Tracy Harwood  , John Maltby  and Elizabeta B. Mukaetova-Ladinska

Received: 28 March 2019;  Published: 15 July 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1903062

Background: Art enhances both physical and mental health wellbeing. The health benefits include reduction in blood pressure, heart rate, pain perception and briefer inpatient stays, as well as improvement of communication skills and self-esteem. In addition to these, people living with dementia benefit from reduction of their non-cognitive, behavioural changes, enhancement of their cognitive capacities and being socially active. Methods: The current study represents a narrative general literature review on availabl [...]

by Yoko Moriyama  , Timothy Bolt  , Marilyn Luptak  and Nanako Tamiya

Received: 19 February 2019;  Published: 09 July 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1903061

Background: Many informal caregivers providing at-home care to older family members want to continue serving as the primary caregiver if they get sufficient support. A key service enabling continued at-home care is access to unplanned respite care facilities for temporary institutional care on short notice and in emergencies. Methods: This study used city government survey results on service user satisfaction with the Japanese Long-Term Care Insurance (LTCI) system for a mid-sized, Japanese city. From this a range [...]

by Pavel Kalvach  and Martin Vogner

Received: 30 March 2019;  Published: 08 July 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1903060

The understanding of mental deterioration associated with old age has undergone several changes over the past two centuries, and has spurred major scientific debates. In the 19th century, this disorder was still considered an inevitable part of aging. The beginning of the 20th century offered a histological explanation for presenile dementia, and Alois Alzheimer was credited as the discoverer of a new disease that bears his name to date. In the last quarter of the 20th century, findings of Alois Alzheimer were appl [...]