Depression versus Dementia.
Tracks
Ballroom 3
Best practice
Chronic Conditions
Dementia
Diagnosis
Education and Training
Elder Abuse
Enablement / Reablement
Evidence based practice
Health Management
Human Rights
Innovation
Integrated Care
Loneliness
Meaningful engagement
Models of Care
Non-pharmacological interventions
Pain / Pain Management
Quality improvement
Residential
Social Isolation
Wellness / Well Being
| Wednesday, November 13, 2024 |
| 11:00 AM - 11:15 AM |
Speaker
Ms Leah Bisiani
Dementia Specialist
Uplifting Dementia / Twilight Aged Care
Depression versus Dementia.
Abstract
People with dementia are often more susceptible to depression destroying their existence, and their ability to positively age.
AIMS:
This study examined the prevalence of people with dementia living with an undiagnosed depression in a RACF, and provides solutions and recommendations to avoid/prevent the continuation of this debilitating scenario.
METHODOLOGY:
Information was collected, and investigations initiated to maintain accurate information systems to aid in identifying depression, in the following domains:
- Pre-morbid lifestyle/life story.
- Current and past medical, physiological, psychological/emotional health history.
- Depression, functional, and cognitive scales.
- Head-to-toe assessments to ensure all medical conditions were well managed, and also to eliminate the possibility of acute delirium.
If depression was indicated, treatment was immediately initiated.
REULTS:
• Depression was actively and successfully treated in majority of participants.
• Deprescribing of psychotropics.
• Improvement in cognitive scores.
• Reduction/elimination of all changed behaviour.
• Increased intake.
• Increased participation in lifestyle activity, engaging socially, initiating conversations, and improved interaction.
• Improved functional, mobility, and transfer ability.
• Reduction in falls/serious fall related injury.
• Improved skin integrity.
• Productive sleep.
• Maximised independence and quality of life.
One concerning outcome was the apparent misdiagnosis of 4 residents who returned to their previous full cognitive presentation post treatment of their depression.
This study may assist in facilitating profound, enabling, personalised approaches to care, creating inspiring, respectful, and meaningful life experiences, whilst empowering people with dementia to live their best lives, free of depression.
AIMS:
This study examined the prevalence of people with dementia living with an undiagnosed depression in a RACF, and provides solutions and recommendations to avoid/prevent the continuation of this debilitating scenario.
METHODOLOGY:
Information was collected, and investigations initiated to maintain accurate information systems to aid in identifying depression, in the following domains:
- Pre-morbid lifestyle/life story.
- Current and past medical, physiological, psychological/emotional health history.
- Depression, functional, and cognitive scales.
- Head-to-toe assessments to ensure all medical conditions were well managed, and also to eliminate the possibility of acute delirium.
If depression was indicated, treatment was immediately initiated.
REULTS:
• Depression was actively and successfully treated in majority of participants.
• Deprescribing of psychotropics.
• Improvement in cognitive scores.
• Reduction/elimination of all changed behaviour.
• Increased intake.
• Increased participation in lifestyle activity, engaging socially, initiating conversations, and improved interaction.
• Improved functional, mobility, and transfer ability.
• Reduction in falls/serious fall related injury.
• Improved skin integrity.
• Productive sleep.
• Maximised independence and quality of life.
One concerning outcome was the apparent misdiagnosis of 4 residents who returned to their previous full cognitive presentation post treatment of their depression.
This study may assist in facilitating profound, enabling, personalised approaches to care, creating inspiring, respectful, and meaningful life experiences, whilst empowering people with dementia to live their best lives, free of depression.
Biography
Leah Bisiani is a highly skilled RN1/MHlthSc/DipBus/Dementia and Aged Care consultant, with more than 35 years’ experience in aged /dementia care.
Her work aims at redefining and rethinking dementia, whilst embracing a more expansive view of the person who lives with a diagnosis of dementia, through the provision of care based on remaining assets, rehabilitative support for acquired cognitive disabilities, and a unified voice of advocacy that upholds individual autonomy.
Leah has successfully demonstrated how reconsidering the medical paradigm and creating environments in which persons with dementia continue to thrive, facilitates continuation of life based on recognition of self, and the valuing of individual uniqueness.
Leah won both the 2010/11 Lend Lease ‘Australian’, and ‘Global’, Award for “Excellence in Innovation” for her person-centred models of care, designed for people with dementia.
As Leah’s proficiency expanded and her reputation as an innovator was acknowledged, she commenced working predominantly in consulting, clinical advisory, research, education/learning, and development.
Leah’s ground-breaking and highly effective work, and increased profile, has inevitably resulted in numerous, ongoing invitations to lecture at national and global conferences.
Leah’s life’s work and vision effectually transforms cultures and philosophies of care, providing a powerful voice that confronts current practice, forges an approach that removes all forms of segregation by acknowledging everyone has the right to “Freedom of Expression”, and consequently upholds the human rights of all people living with dementia.
Her pioneering revelations have enabled people living with dementia to attain maximised and enriched lifestyles, and furthermore, successfully empowered, and motivated humanity to embrace her dreams of change.
As per the words of Ghandi, Leah believes:
“Be the Change You Want to See in the World”.
Session Chair
Claire O'Connor
Senior Research Fellow
University of New South Wales
