Abstract
AimTo describe older persons who had commenced a memory assessment, experiences of living with memory impairment and related symptoms.BackgroundPersons with subjective memory impairment are two times more likely to develop dementia over the years than their peers. Older persons seldom seek help from primary health care clinics solely for subjective memory impairment. Of those who seek help, it can take up to 35 months from the person experiencing initial symptoms to referral to a memory clinic. Further research is needed regarding how older persons live with memory impairment with related symptoms before they receive a memory diagnosis.MethodA qualitative study with 23 participants who had commenced a memory assessment in primary care. Semi-structured interviews were held. During the interviews, the Neuropsychiatric Inventory was completed and discussed with the participants. Interview data were analysed using Interpretive Description.ResultsThe results are presented under four themes: Conflicting views about the situation, Unveiling the presence of neuropsychiatric symptoms, Compensating with external and internal strategies to recall and Worrying about self and future. Persons with memory impairment were encouraged by family members or others to seek a memory assessment. Few persons were self-referred as memory impairment was often seen as a part of aging. Polarised viewpoints existed within the families regarding the impact of memory impairment on daily life. The presence of neuropsychiatric symptoms appeared unexplored in the participants seeking a memory assessment. In this study, the majority of participants experienced neuropsychiatric symptoms at the time of contact for a memory assessment.ConclusionsMemory problems experienced were often viewed by the person as being part of an aging process. The presence of neuropsychiatric symptoms was not acknowledged as being connected to memory impairment. Contextualising ‘memory impairment’ as a part of a ‘cognitive process’ may help the person in identifying the presence of neuropsychiatric symptoms.
Highlights
Dementia is a global public health priority with an estimated 47 million persons living with the syndrome, the number is said to triple by the year 2050
The results are presented under four themes: Conflicting views about the situation, Unveiling the presence of neuropsychiatric symptoms, Compensating with external and internal strategies to recall and Worrying about self and future
Memory problems experienced were often viewed by the person as being part of an aging process
Summary
Dementia is a global public health priority with an estimated 47 million persons living with the syndrome, the number is said to triple by the year 2050. Alzheimer’s disease [AD] and other dementias are regarded as a major health problem for persons 65 years and older (Hebert et al, 2013). Wilson et al (2012) refer to the presence of cognitive impairment in older persons which can exist up to 7.5 years prior to the onset of dementia. According to Roberts and Knopman (2013), an estimated 15% to 20% of persons over 65 years live with mild cognitive impairment and approximately one third progress to develop dementia. Mitchell et al (2014) state that persons with subjective memory impairment are two times more likely to develop dementia over the years than their peers. In Sweden, many older persons reside independently in their own homes (Wimo et al, 2017) this includes persons with dementia, with up to 50% who live alone (Cermakova et al, 2017)
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