ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: At the present time there is considerable controversy over the course to follow in attention to patients with psychogeriatric disorders. Rapid diagnosis and maintaining the patients in their homes are the basic objectives of the policy of sharing responsibility among those involved. DEVELOPMENT: We review the bibliography and suggest a form of attention based on experience acquired in the dementia evaluation unit of the Programme Vida als Anys of the Generalitat de Catalunya. The model described is based on making the diagnosis in the patient's home, giving support to the family and integrating the patient into a follow-up unit, with a person responsible for evaluating and resolving the needs of both patient and family as they arise. In order to carry out this programme, the attention must be given by multidiscliplinary units with the necessary resources.
Subject(s)
Dementia/rehabilitation , Health Services for the Aged/organization & administration , Aged , Ambulatory Care , Dementia/diagnosis , Humans , Psychotherapy , Residential Treatment , Social Support , SpainABSTRACT
Introducción. Actualmente, existe una gran controversia sobre la política sanitaria a seguir en la asistencia de pacientes con trastornos psicogeriátricos. El diagnóstico rápido y la contención de los pacientes en el domicilio son los objetivos fundamentales dentro de una política de responsabilidad compartida entre diversos estamentos. Desarrollo. Se lleva a cabo una revisión de la bibliografía y se lanza una propuesta asistencial basada en la experiencia acumulada en la unidad de valoración de las demencias del Programa Vida als Anys de la Generalitat de Catalunya. El modelo expuesto se basa en la realización del diagnóstico a domicilio, apoyo a la familia e integración del paciente dentro de una unidad de seguimiento, con un responsable que valorará y dará soluciones a las necesidades puntuales del paciente y la familia a lo largo de la evolución de la enfermedad. Para que el programa pueda realizarse es preciso que la asistencia sea realizada por unidades multidisciplinarias y se disponga de los medios de soporte necesarios (AU)
Subject(s)
Aged , Humans , Spain , Social Support , Residential Treatment , Psychotherapy , Dementia , Ambulatory Care , Health Services for the AgedABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: This article describes the theoretical basis on which to begin and develop a record of dementias, emphasizing particularly the records of dementias of the programme Vida als Anys in Cataluña. Records of dementias give information regarding the number of cases of dementia and also for planning use of resources as required by the population. DEVELOPMENT: A record of dementias obtains, stores, keeps up to date and re-uses information about cases of dementia in a consistent manner. There are two types of records, that dealing with the population and that of the hospital. Records of the population include information from epidemiological studies, both descriptive and analytical, and also data on public health. The hospital records follow and study the natural history of dementias from an aetiological point of view but do not use a population for reference. In Cataluña records of dementias have been done for the populations of Girona, Tarragona and Barcelona and the hospitals of Barcelona, Girona, Lleida, Martorell, Reus, Santa Coloma de Gramanet and Terrassa, as part of the programme Vida al Anys. CONCLUSIONS: In order to make satisfactory plans for care in dementia, it is necessary to create databases which are as unified and as exhaustive as possible. Unified records of dementia help understanding of the course and risk factors of the condition.
