Background
Evidence-based practices are widely used to present powerful approaches that can address various health conditions. A good example of a practice summary in health care is the clinical practice guideline (CPG). Such CPGs are useful because they offer evidence-based guidelines that can be used to improve the quality of patient care (Duthey, 2013). This paper uses evidence-based ideas and practice summaries to disseminate useful information that can be used to manage dementia. This condition is common among the elderly and makes it impossible for them to realize their potential. Proper knowledge of the best dementia management procedures can play a positive role in supporting the health needs of the eldery.
Scope and Purpose
Keren (2013) defines “dementia as a chronic disorder that affects different mental processes” (p. 4). The condition can be caused by injury, genes, brain disease, or old age. The major symptoms associated with the mental disorder include impaired reasoning, personality changes, withdrawal, and mood changes (Duthey, 2013). With proper disease management practices, affected persons can lead normal lives and achieve their potential. The scope and purpose of this document is to support the needs of more practitioners. The knowledge can make it easier for them to make accurate decisions and support the needs of their elderly patients (Gauthier et al., 2012). In order to deliver appropriate guidelines, the document presents various guidelines that can produce desirable health results. Health professionals and caregivers can embrace the presented guidelines in order to support the health needs of elderly patients (Keren, 2013).
This CPG document targets the elderly. Old age is one of the risk factors associated with dementia. Different stakeholders and community members should use effective guidelines to support the needs of these individuals. In order to produce meaningful guidelines, several stakeholders from different specialties were involved throughout the document preparation process. Family Nurse Practitioners (FNPs), registered nurses (RNs), social workers, caregivers, healthcare facilities, and nursing homes were involved in order to produce the best results (Husebo et al., 2012). Several questions were outlined to guide the document. The questions used are presented below.
- What are the best diagnostic methods, treatment regimes, and management processes for dementia?
- How can collaborative and multidisciplinary practices deliver new benefits and transform the health of elderly patients?
- What is the role of FNPs, physicians, social workers, and family members towards delivering evidence-based care to patients with dementia?
Stakeholder Involvement
The targeted CPG document has been developed by the Alzheimer’s Association (AA). The international organization followed strict measures and diagnostic guidelines in order to present the best model for dealing with dementia (Geldmacher & Kerwin, 2013). The organization has also designed a powerful technical manual for guiding patients with dementia and their respective caregivers. In order to come up with a proper CPG document, several stakeholders were encouraged to present their inputs. For instance, the World Health Organization (WHO) presented adequate ideas based on past clinical practices. Members of the committee included health specialists, psychologists, and social workers. The group also included several patients with dementia in an attempt to develop the most appropriate model.
Rigor of Development
The team wanted to prepare an inclusive document that could support the needs of many elderly patients. This goal was achieved by conducting an appropriate research. Recently-published articles and reports were selected. The information presented in each article was reviewed in order to determine its appropriateness. The team focused on evidence-based practices from such articles (Geldmacher & Kerwin, 2013). The most relevant and applicable practices from the gathered articles were used to develop the final document. As well, different ideas presented by various organizations such as the American Nursing Association, the World Health Organization, Dementia Society of America, and the Alzheimer’s Association were considered during the document development process (DDP).
Evidence-based arguments and practices were incorporated in order to produce an appropriate dementia management plan. The above three questions were also used throughout the process. The information was grouped depending on the ability to tackle the problem of dementia (Keren, 2013). The selected practices also focused on the best dementia management practices in elderly citizens.
Recommendations
Dementia is one of the conditions known to affect the functioning of the human brain. Alzheimer’s disease is also a common type of this mental condition (Geldmacher & Kerwin, 2013). The diagnostic approach should therefore focus on specific symptoms associated with this condition. Physicians and psychologists should “focus on different aspects such as reasoning, judgment, ability to pay attention, communication, memory, and visual perception” (Sadowsky & Galvin, 2012, p. 352). If most of these functions are identified, chances are very high that the targeted patient has dementia. The CPG also acknowledges that the number of people with memory loss problems is extremely high among the elderly (Sadowsky & Galvin, 2012). However, physicians and FNPs should not treat such cases as dementia.
The document outlines the most appropriate management regimes for the condition. The best management approach entails the use of non-drug therapy. The purpose of the therapy is to reduce most of the symptoms associated with this mental disorder (Geldmacher & Kerwin, 2013). Some medications should be availed depending on the nature of the exhibited symptoms. Pharmacists should be involved throughout the process in order to achieve positive results. FNPs and caregivers should also encourage family members to be involved throughout the disease management process. Foley (2014) indicates that “exercises, balanced diets, and emotional empowerment can alleviate most of the symptoms” (p. 4). As well, such practices will minimize chances of other opportunistic conditions associated with various dementias.
Application
The CPG document can be applied in different settings in an attempt to support the health needs of the elderly. Nursing homes, healthcare facilities, and families have what it takes to implement the concepts outlined in the document. Physicians, caregivers, public health workers, and FNPs are important facilitators who can support the success of every dementia management plan (Moore, Patterson, Lee, Vedel, & Bergman, 2014). However, some barriers such as poor diagnostic procedures, inaccessible rural areas, and financial constraints can affect the application of the document (Moore at al., 2014). As well, some practitioners might be unable to promote the best ideas towards managing the condition. Effective implementation of the guidelines can produce positive health results and empower more elderly persons. Institutions providing care to elderly patients should use scorecards to monitor their patients (Foley, 2014). The auditing process will outline the major gaps and identify new opportunities that can support the health needs of every patient.
Editorial Independence
During the CPG development process, the group presented different interests in order to address the major issues associated with dementia. Such interests were appropriate towards developing the best plans for managing dementia. However, several groups argued that dementia was totally different from Alzheimer’s disease (Moore et al., 2014). The conflicting interests seemed to affect the final recommendations and ideas developed by the team. However, the involved stakeholders consulted the WHO in order to have a proper definition of the condition. The team analyzed the symptoms exhibited by patients with dementia. The team outlined the best practices that can support the health needs of elderly citizens with dementia. The developed team also focused on the best health outcomes. A positive leadership approach was used to support the needs of the stakeholders. The leadership process encouraged the followers to address their conflicts. The practice led to quality results.
Summary
The developed CPG answered the clinical questions presented by the team. For instance, the document outlined the most appropriate diagnostic methods for dementia. The team also outlined the best management plan for dementia and every related mental condition. Every student can embrace the ideas presented in the CPG to support his or her career needs. Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs) can also use the concepts to manage this condition. As well, the document highlights the importance of evidence-based ideas in an attempt to improve the quality of care availed to every patient with dementia (Gauthier et al., 2012). Students planning to work in nursing homes and community health facilities will find the CPG resourceful. The tool will guide them to deliver evidence-based, quality, and exemplary care to their patients. The approach will eventually support more elderly people with dementia. Healthcare professionals should therefore use the CPG document to support the health needs of elderly citizens.
Reference List
Duthey, B. (2013). Alzheimer’s Disease and other Dementias. Web.
Foley, T. (2014). Dementia: Diagnosis and Management in General Practice. Quality in Practice Committee, 1(1), 1-22.
Gauthier, S., Patterson, C., Chertkow, H., Gordon, M., Herrmann, N., Rockwood, K.,…Soucy, J. (2012). Recommendations of the 4th Canadian Consensus Conference on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Dementia (CCCDTD4). Canadian Geriatrics Journal, 15(4), 120-127.
Geldmacher, D., & Kerwin, D. (2013). Non-pharmacologic treatment of insomnia in persons with dementia. Primary Care Companion, 15(4), 1-10.
Husebo, B., Kunz, M., Achterberg, W., Lobbezoo, F., Kappesser, J., Tudose, C.,…Lautenbacher, S. (2012). Pain Assessment and Treatment Challenges in Patients with Dementia. Zeitschrift fr Neuropsychologie, 23(4), 237-246.
Keren, R. (2013). Diagnosis and Management of Dementia with Lewy Bodies. The Canadian Alzheimer Disease Review, 1(1), 4-11.
Moore, A., Patterson, C., Lee, L., Vedel, I., & Bergman, H. (2014). Fourth Canadian Consensus Conference on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Dementia. Canadian Family Physician, 60(1), 433-438.
Sadowsky, C., & Galvin, J. (2012). Guidelines for the Management of Cognitive and Behavioral Problems in Dementia. Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, 25(3), 350-366.