Cheung, G., & Choi, P. (2008). The use of the Pain Assessment Checklist for Seniors with Limited Ability to Communicate (PACSLAC) by caregivers in dementia care facilities. New Zealand Medical Journal, 121(1286), 21-29.
Type:
Research article
Description:
PACSLAC is a behavioural assessment tool designed to improve the detection of pain in severe dementia. This pilot study  aimed to evaluate the inter-rater reliability of the PACSLAC when it is administrated by New Zealand caregiver staff. This pilot study demonstrated PACSLAC has good inter-rater reliability when it is used by caregivers.
Keywords:
pain, assessment
Link
Gibson, R. H., Gander, P. H., Dowell, A. C., & Jones, L. M. (2017). Non-pharmacological interventions for managing dementia-related sleep problems within community dwelling pairs: A mixed-method approach. Dementia, 16(8), 967-984
Type:
Research article
Description:
This study involved a five-week feasibility study of a programme for dementia-related sleep problems including timed light therapy, exercise and sleep education. Of 15 community-dwelling pairs who participated, nine completed the trial. The case studies presented here reveal that it is feasible for this population to use non-pharmacological interventions, with positive outcomes. 
Keywords:
sleep, sleep intervention
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Gibson, R. H., Gander, P. H., & Jones, L. M. (2014). Understanding the sleep problems of people with dementia and their family caregivers. Dementia: The International Journal of Social Research and Practice, 13(3), 350-365.
Type:
Research article
Description:
Sleep disturbances are common with dementia and can adversely affect waking function. However, the perspectives of people with dementia and their family caregivers concerning their sleep are under-researched. This New Zealand study conducted three focus groups with 12 community-dwelling pairs (a person with dementia and their family caregiver).
Keywords:
sleep, carer, caregiver
Link
Gibson, R. H., & Gander, P. H. (2019). Monitoring the sleep patterns of people with dementia and their family carers in the community. Australasian Journal on Ageing, 38(1), 47-51.
Type:
Research article
Description:
This study evaluated the reliability of automatically scored actigraphy data for monitoring sleep. The authors conclude that Automated scoring offers reasonable agreement with manual scoring and may better describe the fragmented nature of dementia-related sleep, and be less demanding for care-partners than a sleep diary.
Keywords:
actigraphy, analysis, carers, dementia, sleep
Link
Gibson, R. H., & Gander, P. H. (2019). Monitoring the sleep patterns of people with dementia and their family carers in the community. Australasian Journal on Ageing, 38(1), 47-51.
Type:
Research article
Description:
This study evaluated the reliability of automatically scored actigraphy data for monitoring sleep. The authors conclude that Automated scoring offers reasonable agreement with manual scoring and may better describe the fragmented nature of dementia-related sleep, and be less demanding for care-partners than a sleep diary.
Keywords:
actigraphy, analysis, carers, dementia, sleep
Link
Holden, J., Jayathissa, S., & Young, G. (2008). Delirium among elderly general medical patients in a New Zealand hospital. Internal Medicine Journal, 38(8), 629-634.
Type:
Research article
Description:
This study examined for the frequency and effect of delirium for older people admitted to a New Zealand general medical service. Thirty‐one per cent of delirious patients had a previous history of dementia. The results confirm that delirium is a common health problem in older patients, associated with multiple adverse outcomes.  
Keywords:
delirium
Link
Jordan, J., Crowe, M., Gillon, D., McCall, C., Frampton, C., & Jamieson, H. (2018). Reduced pain reports with increasing cognitive impairment in older persons in New Zealand. American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease & Other Dementias, 33(7), 463-470.
Type:
Research article
Description:
Pain and cognitive impairment were examined in a New Zealand cohort of older persons assessed using the Home Care International Residential Assessment Instrument (interRAI-HC).  Although severe pain reports decrease with increasing age and cognitive impairment, more nuanced research covarying for dementia severity and subtype is required.
Keywords:
pain, InterRAI, needs assessment
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March de Ribot F, de Ribot AM, Walker X, Jamieson H, Cheung G. Dementia and cataract surgery in Australia and New Zealand. Australas J Ageing. 2023; 42: 450-454. doi:10.1111/ajag.13208
Type:
Research article
Description:
This paper discusses the health implications of low vision, commonly related to cataracts, in older adults. A recent publication reported that cataract surgery reduces the risk of dementia by 30% over 10 years.
Keywords:
cataracts, dementia, vision
Link
Mentzel C, Taube C, Glue P, Barak Y. Older adults with schizophrenia and dementia: Analysis of a national dataset. Australas J Ageing. 2023; 42: 609-612. doi:10.1111/ajag.13187
Type:
Research article
Description:
Individuals with schizophrenia develop dementia in late life at higher rates than the general population. This is arguably explained by high rates of chronic medical conditions and exposure to antipsychotic medications. This risk has implications for public health. We aimed to test this in a large New Zealand database.
Keywords:
ageing, dementia, schizophrenia
Link
Mitchell, R. Fajardo Pulido, D.  Ryder, T. Norton, G. Brodaty, H. Draper, B. Close, J. Rapport, F. Lystad, R. Harris, I. Harvey, L. Sherrington, C. Cameron, I.D. Braithwaite, J. (2021) Access to rehabilitation services for older adults living with dementia or in a residential aged care facility following a hip fracture: healthcare professionals’ views, Disability and Rehabilitation, 43:6, 834-845, DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2019.1643418
Type:
Research article
Description:
Surveys and interviews with health professionals in NZ and Australia has found that access to rehabilitation following a hip fracture varies widely for people living with dementia in aged residential care.
Keywords:
pain, assessment, hip fracture, rehabilitation, aged residential care
LINK
Mulligan, Laura; Sommerfeldt, Amanda Charity.  The New Zealand Medical Journal (Online); Implementing and assessing the acceptability of a portable, readily accessible, and actionable end of life planning tool for patients with advanced serious illness or frailty in southern New Zealand, The New Zealand Medical Journal (Online); Christchurch Vol. 136, Iss. 1580,  (Aug 4, 2023): 26-39.
Type:
Research article
Description:
The Clinical Order Articulating Scope of Treatment (COAST) form was designed as a single-page medical order documenting and communicating the resuscitation status and scope of appropriate medical treatment for adult patients believed to be in their final year of life. Surveys were given to patients at the time of COAST form completion and distributed electronically to health professionals at the end of each phase to assess attitudes towards COAST form use and obtain feedback. The hypothesis was that COAST would be acceptable to patients, families, and health providers
Keywords:
trial, pilot, tools, planning
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Narayan, S. W., Hilmer, S.N. & Nishtala, P.S. (2018). "A population-level study examining discontinuation of statins in older people with dementia." European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 74(3), 379-381.
Type:
Research article
Description:
This New Zealand study investigated the prevalence of discontinuation of statins in older people diagnosed with dementia in their last year of life compared to those without dementia, and evaluated statin discontinuation based on an indication for primary versus secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases.
Keywords:
medication, statin, cardiovascular disease
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Prieto, Cristian Gonzalez; Hosking, Ruby; Appleton, Jasmine; Yates, Susan; Lin, Yu-Min; et al.  The New Zealand Medical Journal, Identifying potential patients with diabetes-related dementia: a descriptive approach using routinely collected data, The New Zealand Medical Journal (Online); Christchurch Vol. 136, Iss. 1580,  (Aug 4, 2023): 48-61.
Type:
Research article
Description:
Using routinely collected data from 2013–2021, we selected a sample of people with dementia, diabetes, and no CT evidence of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), vascular dementia, or front temporal dementia. We compared their socio-demographic, clinical, and cognitive characteristics with a sample of patients with diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease.
Keywords:
diabetes, dementia
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Thomson, W. M., Smith, M. B., Ferguson, C. A., Kerse, N. M., Peri, K., & Gribben, B. (2018). Oral status, cognitive function and dependency among New Zealand nursing home residents. Gerodontology, 35(3), 185-191.
Type:
Research article
Description:
This study reports a national survey of oral health in aged residential care throughout New Zealand. The study found that impaired cognitive function is a risk indicator for both dental caries and oral debris in aged residential care. 
Keywords:
dental, oral, caries
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