Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 22, 2026
06:52
Assessment of Dependence in Activities of Daily Living Among Older Patients in an Acute Care Unit
Published on: September 30, 2020
Domiciliary and day care services: Why do people with dementia refuse?
Marianne Durand1, Aroushka James, Aruna Ravishankar
1Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust, Chorlton House, 70 Manchester Road, Chorlton Cum Hardy, Manchester, Greater Manchester M21 9UN, UK.
Aging & Mental Health
|June 2, 2009
Summary
Many people with dementia living alone refuse day services due to misconceptions or potential depression. Further exploration of these barriers is crucial for improving care access.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Psychiatry
- Dementia Care
Background:
- Day services are vital for supporting individuals with dementia living alone.
- Refusal of these services can lead to social isolation and reduced quality of life.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the reasons behind the refusal of day services among people with dementia living alone.
- To assess the correlation between the willingness to use day services and specific clinical factors.
Main Methods:
- A qualitative interview-based study was conducted with 50 individuals diagnosed with dementia who lived independently and had previously declined day services.
- The Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia was utilized to screen for depressive symptoms.
Main Results:
- Primary reasons for refusal included a perceived lack of need, a preference for solitude, and anticipation of unenjoyable experiences.
- Persistent refusal was associated with concerns about social interaction, loss of autonomy, and institutionalization.
- A significant proportion (54%) of participants exhibited scores indicative of potential major depression on the Cornell Scale.
Conclusions:
- Misconceptions regarding the benefits and nature of day services are significant barriers for individuals with dementia living alone.
- The high prevalence of depressive symptoms suggests that undiagnosed depression may be a key factor influencing service refusal and warrants further investigation.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Continuing Care
Continuing care describes the variety of health, personal, and social services provided over a prolonged period. The need for continuing care is increasing because people are living longer. Many people do not have families or others to care for them. Continuing care is mainly for patients who are disabled, functionally dependent, or suffering from a terminal disease. It is available within institutional settings or in homes. Examples include nursing centers or facilities, assisted living,...
01:30Dementia
Dementia is a collective term for cognitive disorders primarily affecting memory, thinking, and reasoning. It is not a specific disease but a syndrome, with Alzheimer's disease being the most common cause, accounting for approximately 60-80% of cases. Other types include vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia. Dementia affects millions worldwide, particularly older adults, though it is not a normal part of aging.
The progression of dementia is generally gradual.
The progression of dementia is generally gradual.
01:22Dementia l: Introduction
Dementia is an acquired, progressive syndrome characterized by a decline in multiple cognitive domains severe enough to impair daily functioning and reduce independence. Although memory loss is a central feature, the diagnosis requires additional deficits involving language, executive function, visuospatial skills, judgment, calculation, or abstract reasoning. These cognitive impairments reflect underlying neurodegenerative or vascular processes that gradually disrupt neuronal networks...
01:29Documentation in Long-Term and Home Healthcare Setting
Documentation in long-term care facilities and home healthcare settings is crucial for ensuring continuous, coordinated, and comprehensive care for patients. Each setting has its specific documentation processes and tools:
Long-Term Care Facilities
Long-Term Care Facilities
01:30Specialized Care Centers and Settings-I
Specialized care settings or centers are situated in convenient locations within the community and offer care to a specific group or population. They consist of daycare facilities, mental health facilities, rural health facilities, educational institutions, industries, shelters for the homeless, and rehabilitation facilities.
Daycare centers
They provide several functions. Some facilities care for healthy newborns and children whose parents work, while others are medically focused and care for...
Daycare centers
They provide several functions. Some facilities care for healthy newborns and children whose parents work, while others are medically focused and care for...
01:19Restorative Care
Restorative care is provided once a patient has been discharged from a healthcare facility and requires additional services. The additional services include home care, rehabilitation programs, and extended care. Restorative care centers help the patient regain their previous level of functioning or acquire a new level of functioning due to the incapacitating effects of a disease or a disability. It aims to assist patients in enhancing their quality of life by encouraging independence,...