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MA/PhD Theses Abstracts of Current Students & Alumni |
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Sternlicht, Deborah A. April 1985 - EVALUATION STUDY OF SUNCOAST GERONTOLOGY CENTER'S MEMORY DISORDER CLINIC
Abstract: This thesis reports on the evaluation study of Suncoast Gerontology Center s Memory Disorder Clinic. The multi- disciplinary staff of the Clinic evaluates patients who display symptoms of cognitive decline. The majority of intellectually impaired patients suffer from Alzheimer s disease, a degenerative brain disease which causes severe cognitive and behavioral dysfunction. Because caring for a demented person can be extremely burdensome, the caregiver is also assessed. The purpose of this study was to generate data that could be used to improve the effectiveness of the Clinic. Three methods were utilized -- review of the Clinic record data, questionnaire survey to caregivers, and ethnographic techniques. Sixty-three Clinic records were reviewed for 22 variables. Patients were separated into those diagnosed as having Alzheimer s disease and those who received another diagnosis. Of the 22 variables, a chi-square test revealed that four were significant -- Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire, Functional Assessment Inventory (FAI) Mental Health, FAI-Activities of Daily Living, and antipsychotic medications recommended. The review demonstrated that gathering specific data within each record is a difficult task because there is no orderly system for retrieving specific information. The questionnaire survey-to 48 caregivers revealed that the majority of clients were pleased with the Clinic's performance. A salient finding was that approximately one-half of the recommendations were not carried out many did not attend the Alzheimer s Disease Family Support Group, a major source of support for caregivers. Areas in need of improvement were relayed. One frequently mentioned area was the need for further information or additional services. Interviews with the staff members and participant observation revealed that each staff member demonstrated a genuine concern about doing what was best for the patient and in alleviating caregiver burden. It also revealed that utilizing a mutlidisciplinary team provides a comprehensive assessment of the patient and caregiving situation. Many problem areas were conveyed by the staff as well as observed by this investigator. A theme that frequently emerged as a troublesome area was follow-up services. It is imperative that all staff members attend regularly scheduled meetings where problems are discussed and attention is given to development and maintenance of the Clinic team.
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