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Dementia-related stigma significantly influences help-seeking and affects the quality of care and support received by people with the condition. This review examines the impact of stigma on help-seeking among people with dementia and identifies key factors influencing this relationship. A systematic search across Web of Science, CINAHL, PsycINFO, PubMed, and Scopus identified seventeen qualitative studies that met the inclusion criteria. These criteria encompassed studies focusing on individuals aged 60 and older addressing public- or self-stigma and exploring help-seeking behaviors and related influencing factors. A thematic synthesis was employed to analyze the findings. The following five major themes emerged: reluctance to disclose the condition, internalization or rejection of stigmatizing beliefs, influence of family and community, attitudes of healthcare professionals, and lack of awareness in the broader society. Factors such as psychological decline, loss of autonomy, limited service access, peer support, and need for policy-level intervention were identified as central in shaping stigma. Findings related to the factors that influence this relationship indicate that stigma delays diagnosis and treatment, restricting access to adequate care. Both individual (e.g., autonomy, psychological well-being) and contextual (e.g., social networks, public policies) factors are crucial in moderating this dynamic. Targeted interventions addressing these dimensions are urgently needed to reduce stigma and facilitate timely help-seeking in dementia.

Background In Italy, migrant family care assistants (MFCAs) represent the most cost-effective answer to dementia home care need and to desire of ageing in place of older adults and family caregivers. Nevertheless, MFCAs very often have no training in elder care and even less in the dementia care. Conversely, elder care training may improve MFCAs’ working condition and mental health. Exploring MFCAs’ educational needs is one of the objectives of the “Age-It” project, aiming at advancing knowledge and competences on ageing by applying a holistic, interdisciplinary, and problem-solving approach through the synergic work of research and educational institutions, care providers and civil society associations, businesses and industries. Methods In Autumn 2023, 25 semi-structured questionnaires, including both closed and open-ended questions, were conducted with MFCAs living in two Italian regions: Marche and Molise. The research material was thematically analysed to answer four research questions: Which is the work experience of MFCAs of older adults with long-term care needs? Which are their educational needs? Which are the barriers to training? Did the emigration geographical area of respondents and the migration route influence their willingness to attend an elder care training? Results Three main themes were identified: (1) Migration: a painful choice to flee poor (violent) societies; (2) Elder care: a stressful work; (3) Needs and barriers to elder care education. Most interviewed MFCAs face many difficulties at work, including stress, burden and lack of free time. Many respondents expressed the need and willingness to improve their knowledge on ageing processes, dementia, behavioural disorders, medicine administration, bedsores and injuries medication. The 24 h work represents the main barriers to attend the lessons. Discussion Suggestions for future trainings include a co-designed curriculum embedding contents on dementia and behavioural disorders; self-care and resilience; host country language. Concerning policy and practice recommendations, mandatory, free and periodic, blended trainings, a clear offer of elder care education, the recognition of previous courses at EU and national level are encouraged. Conclusions Given the pivotal role of MFCAs in the LTC in Italy, it is urgent that they are adequately trained. Given the stressful and 24 h work, a co-designed e-learning platform may be a promising means for reaching and training them. Clinical trial number Not applicable

Despite the extensive evidence supporting the effectiveness of cognitive stimulation, differences in results may be due to the influence of cognitive and non-cognitive aspects in people with dementia. The aim of this systematic review is to identify the most reliable variables in forecasting the effectiveness of cognitive stimulation in people with mild to moderate dementia. According to PRISMA guidelines, the research was conducted using five databases (PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, Web of Science, APA PsycInfo), considering randomized controlled trials. A total of six studies were included. Different aspects moderating the gain resulting from cognitive intervention were collected and assessed in terms of demographic, cognitive, emotional, social, and quality of life parameters. People with dementia benefit more from cognitive intervention if they are female, if they have a low formal education level, a low baseline level of cognitive function, and lower depressive symptoms, and if caregivers actively participate in sessions. Quality of life, if low at baseline, also seems to improve following CST intervention. A deeper understanding of the cognitive and non-cognitive aspects ensuring improvement after cognitive stimulation may guide future research to develop more personalized interventions.

The psychological impact of the Covid 19 pandemic on cancer patients, a population at higher risk of fatal consequences if infected, has been only rarely evaluated. This study was conducted at the Departments of Oncology of four hospitals located in the Verona area in Italy to investigate the psychological consequences of the pandemic on cancer patients under active anticancer treatments. A 13-item ad hoc questionnaire to evaluate the psychological status of patients before and during the pandemic was administered to 474 consecutive subjects in the time frame between April 27 th and June 7 th 2020. Among the 13 questions, 7 were considered appropriate to elaborate an Emotional Vulnerability Index ( EVI ) that allows to separate the population in two groups (low versus high emotional vulnerability) according to observed median values. During the emergency period, the feeling of high vulnerability was found in 246 patients (53%) and was significantly associated with the following clinical variables: female gender, being under chemotherapy treatment, age ≤ 65 years. Compared to the pre-pandemic phase, the feeling of vulnerability was increased in 41 patients (9%), remained stably high in 196 (42%) and, surprisingly, was reduced in 10 patients (2%). Overall, in a population characterized by an high level of emotional vulnerability the pandemic had a marginal impact and only a small proportion of patients reported an increase of their emotional vulnerability.