Music: Reclaiming the Sense of Self in People Living with Alzheimer's Disease
Introduction: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease, characterised by memory and cognitive impairment. Autobiographical memory, or the memory of oneself, consists of episodic, self-defining and semantic components. AD profoundly disrupts autobiographical memory, causing individuals to lose their self-identity. Although previous research has shown that music can facilitate the recall of autobiographical memories, the extent and nature of this effect in AD is unclear. Specifically, it is debated whether music preserves neural networks involved in autobiographical
Opportunistic Review of CT scans to Identify Unreported Vertebral Fractures in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease
Introduction Patients with Parkinson’s Disease (PD) are at an increased risk of developing osteoporosis. Vertebral fractures (VFs) are the commonest type of osteoporotic fracture and are frequently underdiagnosed, up to 70% going unreported. Individuals with VFs are at a significantly higher risk of experiencing subsequent fractures (relative risk increase of 2.8 for hip fractures and 5.4 for additional VFs). The presence of VFs are often not formally reported. VFs are also associated with an eightfold increase in morbidity. These complications could result in reduced independence and
Improving Advance Care Planning Completion in Primary Care
Introduction Advance care planning (ACP) is a patient-centred discussion involving the patient, family, and healthcare professional to ensure care aligns with patient wishes. In Wales, this includes two recognised documents for those with capacity, and a best interests form for those without, completed by a Lasting Power of Attorney or IMCA. ACPs in the elderly population enhance quality of life, communication, and reduce hospital admissions. This project aimed to improve ACP completion in primary care. Method Forty-one residents, who were registered to Roath House Surgery, were sampled from