Journal of Palliative Care & Medicine
Open Access

Abstract

The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) is a suitable tool to standardize the status of health and disability. A previous study, carried out on 546 subjects included in the database ANASTE (National Association of Nursing Home for Third Age) Calabria, showed that 78.43% of the patients suffered from cognitive impairment whereas 52% had a severe degree of dementia. 65% of them were suffering from Alzheimer�s disease (AD), whereas 23% from vascular dementia (VD). Aim: Aim of this study was to analyse the prevalence of functional impairments, activity limitations and participation restrictions of patients affected by AD and VD. Design: Observational descriptive study. Setting: Nursing Homes ANASTE Calabria. Participants: 10 patients with probable AD (ADPr) and 10 patients affected by probable VD (VDPr). All patients were underwent multidimensional geriatric assessment. The profiles of disability ICF, were expressed in terms of Capacity and Performance, and coded according to mild, medium, severe and complete disability. Environmental factors were skilled in facilitator or no facilitator. Results: The patients with ADPr displayed a severe impairment of functional status, and advanced clinical stage requiring the higher care burden compared with VDPr patients. The ICF assessment showed that the global and specific Mental Functions, Communication and Interpersonal Relationships were more reduced in patients with ADPr respect those with VDPr. The identification of an ICF checklist of various forms of dementia might provide a more detailed description of the profiles of disability and improving therapeutic, rehabilitative interventions and psico-social care.

Biography

Alba Malara specialized in Geriatrics and Gerontology. Since 2004 she had worked as Medical Director in a Residential Centre and Extensive Rehabilitation Continuous Cycle as well as in several other nursing homes in Calabria. Since 2007 she has worked as Scientific Coordinator of the "Scientific Committee of National Association of Third Age Residences (ANASTE)". Since 2011 she has been a scientific consultant for the European Confederation Home Care Organization (ECHO), Brussels, Belgium. Since January 2015 she is Chairwoman of Italian Society Geriatrics and Gerontology (SIGG) Calabria. Dr. Malara has set up a research methodology based on daily utilization of multidimensional geriatric assessment tests used in clinical practice in a network of nursing homes in Italy. In particular Dr. Malara’s research is primarily focused on geriatric multidimensional assessment, dementia, behavioural problems, pain and pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies, care of end of life, care quality and patients' quality of life.