Resources and demands survey of patients with cognitive disorder in Shanghai

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Yuan Fang and Xia Li

Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China

: Int J Ment Health Psychiatry

Abstract

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Statement of the Problem: In Shanghai China, cognitive disorders causes heavy burdens to the patients' families and the society. Shanghai government has been gradually increasing investment in the treatment of cognitive disorders to prepare for the ageing society. It is necessary to understand the recovery resources which are currently available to patients with cognitive disorders and the assistance they actually need. The purpose of this study was to conduct a survey of those patients’ caregivers to find out the social support currently available to their families and the social resources they need urgently. Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: We surveyed 90 caregivers via the internet to find out whether the cognitive impaired patients' families had received subsidies or services from the government. We also surveyed 40 caregivers by soliciting their replies to an online list of demand, trying to understand the demand of cognitive disorder patients for resources in seven aspects including medical support and financial support (Figure 1). Findings: Our survey results indicated that 21 out of 90 patients had received governmental subsidies, 4.44% of them had received in-home medical care and 3.33% of them had been covered by long-term care insurance. Our survey revealed that the improvement in the skills of inhome caregivers, support from senior care facilities and medical support are needed the most. About 31.71% of these 40 families hoped that the doctors would prescribe the medicines treating dementia each time in a dose of sufficient for one month’s taking. 31.71% of these families hoped that the government could recommend them senior care facilities. Conclusion & Significance: Only a small percentage of patients with cognitive disorders have received certain support from the society. It is urgent to consolidate all resources including medical treatment and those available from local residential units.

Biography

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Fang Yuan has been studying and working at Shanghai Mental Health Center, an affiliated hospital of Shanghai Jiao Tong University since 2010. Her research and work includes valuation of cognitive function, doing research on the needs of cognitive impaired patients' families and making intervention plans for dementia patients. She now works in a research team which is dedicated to the consolidation and optimization of resources for dementia patients in Shanghai. So far, the research team has created a system, which is led by specialist physicians with the cooperation of general practitioners, nurses, social workers and senior care facilities, to diagnosis and takes care of dementia patients with reference to degrees of severity of their diseases.

E-mail: fangyuan_8611@163.com