Relationship between living situation and functional performance of individuals
with Alzheimer's disease 
   Lead Investigator:    Flora Guerra
   Institution      :    Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais
   E-Mail           :    florapguerra@gmail.com
   Proposal ID      :    1088



   Proposal Description:
   As dementia progresses functional disability increases. This disability will impact the individual, family members and the health system. The aim of this project is to explore the relationship between functional decline and dementia staging in vascular dementia (VaD), compared to Alzheimer's disease (AD). We will explore differences and similarities between these two dementia subtypes.     The longitudinal data from subjects diagnosed with these 2 types of dementia will be used. Instruments include: Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR), the Pfeffer Functional Assessment Questionnaire (FAQ) and the Mini-Mental State Examination(MMSE). We will analyse the relationship between the rate of functional decline and dementia staging progression, and how these rates may differ in VaD in comparison to AD.     Understanding how progression of functionality usually occurs in the different types of dementia and the differences between them will help professionals in making clinical decisions and in advising family members.