[UK] Identifying challenges related to the management of comorbidities in people with dementia in residential care: Expert delphi consensus exercise

[UK] Identifying challenges related to the management of comorbidities in people with dementia in residential care: Expert delphi consensus exercise
Journal of Applied Gerontology; Serena Sabatini, Frances Hawes, Kelechi Eluigwe, Eugene Y. H. Tang; 1/25
Improving early detection, management, and treatment of comorbid conditions to dementia in residential care could slow down cognitive and functional decline, and increase residents’ quality of life. ... Mental illnesses, delirium, and sensory impairments were identified as the most difficult comorbidities to dementia to deal with. Medication management, symptom management, shortage of staff, lack of training among staff, and limited resources from the broader healthcare system were identified as the most difficult issues when dealing with dementia comorbidities. To address disparities between different residential care homes there is the need of mandatory standards of care across UK residential care homes, and of clear guidelines on topics such as pathways of care for residents’ medical problems, staff to resident ratios, and minimum wages.