Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 2012 Apr 19;
Berger JR, Hedayati SS

ESRD has become an important problem for elderly patients. The segment of the ESRD population age 65 years or older has grown considerably, and this growth is expected to accelerate in coming years. Nephrologists caring for the elderly with advanced kidney disease will encounter patients with comorbid conditions common in younger patients, as well as physical, psychological, and social challenges that occur with increased frequency in the aging population. These challenging factors must be addressed to help inform decisions regarding the option to initiate dialysis, the choice of dialysis modality, whether to pursue kidney transplantation, and end-of-life care. This article will highlight some common problems encountered by elderly patients with ESRD and review data on the clinical outcomes of elderly patients treated with different modalities of dialysis, outcomes of kidney transplantation in the elderly, and nondialytic management of CKD stage 5.

The hardest aspect of looking after your partner after stroke is not the physical disability but personality changes and a lack of support from society. This has been highlighted in a study from the Sahlgrenska Academy, at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden.

Source:More support needed for women caring for elderly men at home after stroke

WHEN Jo Swiggs returned to Adelaide to care for her mum, Mary, she never imagined the decision would end in a collaboration with Sir Michael Parkinson.

Source:Caring for mum a story worth telling

Health Ministry director general Dr. Roni Gamzu warned yesterday that Israel faces a “horrendous crisis” in the next two decades in relation to the country’s aging population, and that “the government must make the correct decisions on the matter.”

Source:Health Ministry: Israel faces horrendous crisis caring for elderly

Before serving even the first child, Florida statutes require 30 hours of training. To take care of an adult client, in certain cases, the state says you don’t have to get any training.

Source:Few regulations for businesses caring for elderly

Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2012 Mar 16;
Lee DR, McKeith I, Mosimann U, Ghosh-Nodyal A, Thomas AJ

INTRODUCTION: Caring for people with dementia incurs significant stress for carers. Stress has been related to the duration of caring role, the number of weekly hours provided and severity of cognitive impairment. What remains less clear is the impact of neuropsychiatric symptoms and subtype of dementia on carer stress and this study aimed to examine these. METHODS: Dementia carers were recruited for people with a range of dementia subtypes. Carers were interviewed using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory with the Carer Distress Scale. Cognitive fluctuations were assessed using the Dementia Cognitive Fluctuations Scale. All patients were also examined with The Cambridge Assessment for mental disorders in the elderly. RESULTS: Dementia diagnostic subtype, the presence of cognitive fluctuations and some neuropsychiatric symptoms (psychosis and mood disturbance) did predict carer stress (all at p??0.33). Carers of people with dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and Parkinson’s disease dementia (PDD) experienced more stress than those caring for patients with Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. Carer stress was associated with higher levels of psychosis, mood disturbances, daytime sleep and cognitive fluctuations in the person with dementia. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified the significant impact on carers of providing care for people with DLB and PDD dementia subtypes and also highlighted the significant impact of providing care for patients with high levels of psychosis, mood disturbances and cognitive fluctuations. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Health Ministry director general Dr. Roni Gamzu warned yesterday that Israel faces a “horrendous crisis” in the next two decades in relation to the country’s aging population, and that “the government must make the correct decisions on the matter.”

Source:Israel faces horrendous crisis caring for elderly

The story is at once universal and unique; universal in the sense that Susan Morse, like many of her generation, found herself caring for her elderly mother while managing a hectic home life, but unique because of the colorful characters involved.

Source:Philadelphia Author Recounts Life Journey Caring for Elderly, Colorful Mother

Dimens Crit Care Nurs. 2012 Mar; 31(2): 86-8
Federle D

This personal reflection discusses the views and opinions of one family member who is actively involved in caring for his elderly parents and his many visits for health care in the past few years. He presents what he sees as good with the current health care system as well as those areas that need improvement.

I spent this morning at an interesting Capitol Hill conference on an important?but often ignored ?topic: What role should home health aides play in the delivery of care to people with chronic disease?

Source:The Role Home Health Aides Should Play in Caring for the Frail Elderly