Apathy in Older Adults With and Without Dementia: An Integrative Review of Barriers and Facilitators to Care

• Published in: SAGE open Vol. 14; no. 2
• Main Authors: Agboji, Aderonke, Freeman, Shannon, Banner, Davina, Duchesne, Annie, Armstrong, Joshua, Martin-Khan, Melinda
• Format: Book Review Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01.04.2024; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC; SAGE Publishing
• Subjects: Apathy; Dementia; Older people; older adults; barriers; facilitators; aging; apathy; integrative review
• ISSN: 2158-2440; 2158-2440
• DOI: 10.1177/21582440241241882

Despite the detrimental impact of apathy on the cognition, functional abilities, and quality of life of older people, it is often under-rated and under-managed. This integrative review provides a comprehensive overview of the barriers as well as potential facilitators to optimal care for older adults with apathy. A systematic search for relevant literature using Whittemore and Knafl’s framework was conducted to identify factors that inhibit or facilitate optimal detection and intervention for apathy in older people with and without dementia. Four key barriers were identified including lack of standardized definition of apathy, lack of awareness, overlap with other disorders, and methodological limitations of clinical trials. Key facilitators included involvement of the dyad (persons with apathy and their families/formal caregivers), education, training and experience, and adoption of new and innovative method of screening and intervention. To provide optimal care for older people with apathy, there is need to adopt a multifaceted approach, including the development of precise definition of apathy, consideration of person-centered approach, caregiver training, and best practice guidelines for management of apathy. Future research and practice into effective interventions for management of apathy in older adults, and enhanced education and training for healthcare professionals, are needed to ensure quality of care for older adults with apathy. Plain Language Summary This study looked at the challenges and factors that can help improve the care for people with apathy. The researchers reviewed many previous studies to gather information. They found four main obstacles to effectively detecting and treating apathy: the lack of a clear definition, limited awareness about the condition, confusion with other disorders, and problems in the way research is conducted. The absence of a standard definition makes it hard to measure and understand apathy accurately. Many doctors and caregivers are not aware of apathy as a distinct problem, which leads to underdiagnosis and inadequate treatment. Apathy can also be mistaken for other conditions like depression, making it difficult to address properly. Additionally, the way studies are conducted can have limitations, such as recruiting enough participants or using unreliable tools for measurement. The study suggests a few ways to improve care for apathy. Involving both the person with apathy and their caregivers in the assessment process can provide valuable insights. Educating healthcare professionals and the public about apathy is crucial for better recognition and support. New screening and intervention methods, including innovative technologies, can help with more accurate assessments. The study has some limitations, such as a lack of diversity in the samples used and limited qualitative research. However, it provides important insights into the challenges and solutions for apathy care. It highlights the need for clear definitions, increased awareness, and better research approaches. The findings have practical implications for healthcare providers and call for further research in this field.