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Identifying Dementia And Depression In The Elderly: The Role Of The Family
Abstract
Objective: To measure the ability of family members to detect dementia/depression in their elderly relatives.
Method: Subjects diagnosed with dementia/depression were assessed with 10/66 dementia package. The Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), Family Questionnaire (FQ) and the Functional Activities Questionnaire (FAQ) were used to interview the family members of the patients. These were then compared with cognitively normal individuals with high and low education.
Results: Seventy-six patients aged 60 – 69 participated in the study. Nearly 24% of all the subjects scored above the cut off score of the GDS. The FAQ, FQ and CSI – D (informant section) correlated significantly with the GMS organicity.
Conclusion: the FQ and FAQ may be used to indirectly screen elderly subjects who have cognitive deficits and dementia through their family co-residents. This will likely yield an increase in the detection of dementia/depression in elderly subjects who have limited access to direct contact with health care services.
Key Words: Dementia, Depression, elderly, family members.
Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice Vol.7(2) 2004: 82-87
Method: Subjects diagnosed with dementia/depression were assessed with 10/66 dementia package. The Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), Family Questionnaire (FQ) and the Functional Activities Questionnaire (FAQ) were used to interview the family members of the patients. These were then compared with cognitively normal individuals with high and low education.
Results: Seventy-six patients aged 60 – 69 participated in the study. Nearly 24% of all the subjects scored above the cut off score of the GDS. The FAQ, FQ and CSI – D (informant section) correlated significantly with the GMS organicity.
Conclusion: the FQ and FAQ may be used to indirectly screen elderly subjects who have cognitive deficits and dementia through their family co-residents. This will likely yield an increase in the detection of dementia/depression in elderly subjects who have limited access to direct contact with health care services.
Key Words: Dementia, Depression, elderly, family members.
Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice Vol.7(2) 2004: 82-87
