Understanding Dementia Through Qualitative Research

This assignment examines dementia through the lens of qualitative research methods. It emphasizes understanding the lived experiences of individuals with dementia by exploring themes like embodiment, selfhood, and the impact on caregivers. The assignment utilizes a variety of sources, including academic articles and research studies, to provide a comprehensive analysis of the subject.

Research Proposal

Contents
1. INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................................1
2. Problem Statement.......................................................................................................................1
3. Objectives....................................................................................................................................2
4. Reason choosing this topic..........................................................................................................2
5. Literature Review........................................................................................................................2
6. Methodology................................................................................................................................4
7. Ethical consideration...................................................................................................................5
8. Dissertation structure...................................................................................................................5
9. Gantt Chat....................................................................................................................................6
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9

1. INTRODUCTION
There are different types of health related issues that are faced people and there are many
aspects of life that negatively get affected. Age can be considered a one of the main factors
because of which people suffer from various type of diseases. The cells and nerves that function
all body part gets weaker and thus makes the person to difficulties to perform even day to day
operation. It requires to have proper mental and emotional support to diseased person as it
enables them to overcome the pain or issues faced (Molyneaux, Butchard and Murray, 2012).
The topic selected for the proposal is on dementia. This is a term that is used when there is a
decline in mental ability. Dementia is not a specific disease but it an overall term that describes
wide range of symptoms. There are mainly two different type of dementia, these are Alzheimer’s
disease and Vascular dementia. In majority of cases and that is about 60 to 80% cases are of
Alzheimer disease. On the other hand, Vascular dementia occurs after a stroke and this is the
second common type of dementia. Further, there are different types of reasons due to which
people face from dementia. In this context, it includes reasons like vitamin deficiencies and
thyroid problems (Camic, Williams and Meeten, 2013). Main aim of the research is to analyse
the impact of dementia and treatments that are given to patients. Further, the aim is divided into
objectives so that more specific and in depth understanding can be developed.
2. Problem Statement
There are different type of problems that are faced by people who have dementia. In this
context, one of the main problem faced is related with memory loss. There are various type of
day to day functions that has to be performed and in this process, it is important that individual
has appropriate support and have to make use of body parts so that these operations can be
performed. This way, it can be stated that this is the main problem that are faced and this
generally happen after the age of 60. Causes of this problem arise as the nerves become weak.
Further, it also becomes difficult for the brain to control the body part and the reflexes also gets
affected.
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3. Objectives
In order to carry out the research in appropriate manner, there are aim that is set by the
researcher. These are done so that proper steps can be taken with the help of which the research
can be attained. In this context, below given are the aim and objectives of the research:
Aim: To analyse the impact of dementia in older age people and identifying treatment provided:
A study in Nepal.
Objectives:
 To understand the causes and symptoms of dementia in older age people of Nepal.
 To evaluate the impact of dementia in older age people.
 To analyse the treatment that are provided to older age people with dementia.
 To recommend way to reduce the impact of dementia at Nepal.
4. Reason choosing this topic
Various reasons are there due to which this topic is selected. With this respect, I have
personal interest in this topic. I always wanted to study and conduct research on this topic. With
time there are different type of treatments that are provided that has helped people with dementia
to overcome this issue. Further, this area of study will be helpful to develop my future carrier. By
making comparison for the treatment for dementia will enable to support the people of Nepal so
that the rate of negative impact faced by them can be reduced. More specifically, it is being
identified that there are in total 135000 people in Nepal with dementia and there are no formal
treatment or diagnosis or any type of care that can be delivered to these people.
5. Literature Review
This part of the proposal is covered by considering all the objectives that are set by the
researcher. Below given are the few details that are provided for the current research topic:
As per Prince, Bryce and Ferri, (2013) dementia is a group of symptoms that affects
social abilities, thinking, memory that causes a person to face difficulties in performing daily
basic functions. There are different type of causes due to which dementia is caused. Some of the
reasons are as follows:
Cognitive changes: It consists of memory loss and also affects communication. Further, it
consist of issues in problem solving and organizing things.
Psychological changes: There are various type of psychological issues that are faced in
dementia. With this respect, it includes depression, anxiety, agitation, personality changes, etc.
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According to Beard, (2012) causes of dementia consists of damage that occurs to nerve
cells in the brain. This depends on the area of damage that is caused to the person. There are
some of the disorder that are linked with dementia like Huntington's disease, Traumatic brain
injury, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, Parkinson's disease, etc.
Author Wimo, Jönsson and Winblad, (2013) that there are many people in all over the world
suffering from dementia diseases and it mostly affect older age people. However, it is not a
normal part of aging so older age people need to take treatment on time in order to prevent from
such kind of diseases. There are some possible symptoms of dementia that are memory loss, loss
of initiative, personality changes, mood changes etc. Further at the last stage of dementia
symptoms tends to be worsen. Dementia is caused because of damages in brain cells. At the time
when brain cells unable to communicate effectively then it can affect behavior, thinking and
feeling of an individual. There are different types of dementia which are linked with the different
brain cells such as Alzheimer diseases. In this high level of certain proteins inside and outside
brain cells make difficult to communicate effectively and stay healthy (Dupuis, Gillies and
Sadler, (2012). If treatment is not taken on time then it became permanent and make individual
condition worse. If proper care is not done then dementia can split into different stages that are as
follows:
Mild dementia: In this older age people will experience cognitive impairment which lead to
impact their day to day life. There are different symptoms of mild dementia that are confusion,
getting lost and memory loss.
Moderate dementia: In this daily life started becoming more challenging and individual need
more support in getting dressed etc. In this type of dementia there are some changes take place in
an individual personality. Along with this they started suffering sleep disturbance (Camic,
Williams and Meeten, 2013).
Sever dementia: In this stage symptoms lead to become worsen and an individual unable to
communicate or eat food. People who suffer from this dementia need to be kept under proper
care for 24 hours.
According to the view of Majounie, Renton and Van Swieten, (2012)in dementia brain cells
stopped working and become death. They cannot be reversed again so there is no cure for
degenerative dementia. However, treatment is possible to prevent if it is because of non-de-
generative causes. For instance, due to medication effects or vitamin deficiency. Author state that
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brain training can help in improving the cognitive functions and it help in dealing in the early
stages of Alzheimer’s. There are many risk factors which are linked with the causes of dementia
such as smoking and consuming alcohol, high level of bad cholesterol, diabetes etc. Treatment of
dementia should be started at the early stage when symptoms are identified so that on time it can
be prevented (Kontos and Martin, 2013). However, if dementia is not cured then proper
treatment can be provided to improve it and reduce its symptoms. Treatment is started with
identifying the disease from which an individual suffered. There is some extent at which causes
of dementia can be reversible such as tumor cause, nutritional, or hormonal. Hence, it can be
stated that older age people can be prevent from dementia if treatment is provided to them on
time.
6. Methodology
It is important to consider techniques, approaches and methods that can be followed so
that research can be carried out in effective manner. In this context, below given are the research
methodologies that will be covered:
Research philosophy: It enables to gather appropriate sources with the help of which
adequate information can be gathered in relation with the research topic. These are of two types
which are interpretivism and positivism (Neuman, 2013). Among two philosophies, researcher
will make use of combination of positivism and interpretivism.
Research design: This is a type of research type help to conduct the findings in
systematic manner. These are of three types which are descriptive, exploratory and experimental.
The investigator will make use of descriptive research design (Taylor, Bogdan and DeVault,
2015). This type of research design is selected as it helps to focus on the theories related with
this aspect.
Research approach: These are two ways through which gathered information can be
gathered. There are two of research approach, these are inductive and deductive. Among these
two the researcher will make use of deductive approach as it help to carry out the research from
specific to general.
Data collection: It is important to focus on the type of strategies that has to be
implemented so that adequate information related with the topic can be gathered. These are of
two types, primary and secondary(Lewis, 2015). Primary include tools like questionnaire,
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interview, focus group, etc. On other hand, secondary consists of books, journals, online
websites, etc. Among these two the research will make use of both these methods. Primary with
the help of questionnaire and secondary through online websites, journals, books, etc.
Sampling: These are two type of methods which are probabilistic and non-probabilistic.
Among these two researcher will make use of non-probabilistic sampling method as it enables
the investigator to select sample as per their preferences. More specifically, there will be 20
professionals selected who provided health related services.
Data analysis: When information related with the topic are gathered, then it requires to
have appropriate method used so that analysis is done. It includes qualitative and quantitative
methods. Among these two, researcher will make use of qualitative methods in which thematic
tool will be applied as it helps to present the findings in form of table, chart, graph, etc.
7. Ethical consideration
There is different type of ethical consideration that has to be made by researcher. This is
done so that the research can be carried out in effective manner. With this respect, it requires to
provide appropriate information to respondents so that they understand the main cause for which
the research is carried out. Further, it requires to have appropriate system that will help the
researcher to protect the personal information that is gathered from respondents. Moreover,
secondary data should not be used as it is. It requires to write the data in own words so that risk
of plagiarism can be reduced. Further, all the secondary information used should be written with
appropriate citation so that authencity can be shown. In addition to this, all the information
gathered from the side of respondents should not be shown to any other person. An individuals
should be appointed who take responsibility of it and it should be used only for the purpose of
research.
8. Dissertation structure
There are various type of chapters that are included in making dissertation. In this
context, below given are the chapters that will be followed in the structure of dissertation:
Chapter 1- Introduction: In this chapter, proper information about the research topic is
given so that viewers are able to understand and develop in depth understanding for the same.
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Further, it also covers various type of research methodologies will be included. Lastly, the
structure that is covered by the researcher in dissertation will also be covered.
Chapter 2- Literature Review: There are researches that are carried out by other
investigators on similar topic. These help in developing in depth understand of the current
research topic. More specifically, it covers various type of treatments that are provided to people
who have dementia.
Chapter 3- Research Methodology: There are various type of research methodologies
that are used. These are used so that the research topic can be carry out in systematic manner. in
this context, information should be gathered and so appropriate sources should be selected that
can provide
Chapter 4- Data Analysis: After the information is gathered, then it requires to conduct
appropriate analysis so that viewers are able to understand the topic and the responses that are
given by each of the professional of health care. For each of the questions that are asked in the
questionnaire is presented in form of tables, graphs, etc.
Chapter 5- Conclusion and Recommendation: When overall analysis is made, then
conclusion if done for each of the chapters. This way, researcher is able to determine the main
findings that are made and the set of strategies that has to be considered. In addition to this,
recommendations are made so that the rate of problems that are faced can be solved.
9. Gantt Chat
Activ
ity
1th
Wee
k 1
2nd
We
ek 2
3rd
Week
3
4th
Wee
k 4
5th
Week 5
6th
Wee
k 6
7th
Week
7
8th
Wee
k 8
9th
Week
9
10th
Week
10
Find
rese
arch
Topi
c
Lite
ratur
e
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Revi
ew
Draf
ting
of
meth
odol
ogy
Finis
h
Prop
osal
Desi
gn
ques
tion
and
pilot
rese
arch
Carr
y out
&
Reco
rd
Rese
arch
Data
Anal
ysis
and
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Maki
ng
Gra
phs
Disc
ussio
n
and
Con
clusi
on
Fina
l
Repo
rt
Editi
ng &
Com
pleti
on
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REFERENCES
Beard, R. L., 2012. Art therapies and dementia care: A systematic review. Dementia, 11(5),
pp.633-656.
Camic, P. M., Williams, C. M. and Meeten, F., 2013. Does a ‘Singing Together Group’improve
the quality of life of people with a dementia and their carers? A pilot evaluation study.
Dementia, 12(2), pp.157-176.
Dupuis, S. L., Gillies, J. and Sadler, L., 2012. Moving beyond patient and client approaches:
Mobilizing ‘authentic partnerships’ in dementia care, support and services. Dementia,
11(4), pp.427-452.
Kontos, P. and Martin, W., 2013. Embodiment and dementia: Exploring critical narratives of
selfhood, surveillance, and dementia care. Dementia, 12(3), pp.288-302.
Lewis, S., 2015. Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches.
Health promotion practice, 16(4), pp.473-475.
Majounie, E., Renton, A. E. and Van Swieten, J. C., 2012. Frequency of the C9orf72
hexanucleotide repeat expansion in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and
frontotemporal dementia: a cross-sectional study. The Lancet Neurology, 11(4), pp.323-
330.
Molyneaux, V. J., Butchard, S. and Murray, C., 2012. The co-construction of couplehood in
dementia. Dementia, 11(4), pp.483-502.
Neuman, W. L., 2013. Social research methods: Qualitative and quantitative approaches.
Pearson education.
Prince, M., Bryce, R. and Ferri, C. P., 2013. The global prevalence of dementia: a systematic
review and metaanalysis. Alzheimer's & dementia: the journal of the Alzheimer's
Association, 9(1), pp.63-75.
Taylor, S. J., Bogdan, R. and DeVault, M., 2015. Introduction to qualitative research methods: A
guidebook and resource. John Wiley & Sons.
Wimo, A., Jönsson, L. and Winblad, B., 2013. The worldwide economic impact of dementia
2010. Alzheimer's & dementia: the journal of the Alzheimer's Association, 9(1), pp.1-11.
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