The Spanish Confederation of Organizations for the Elderly (CEOMA) has emphasized that its program 'DESATAR' has achieved the elimination of physical and pharmacological restraints applied to people with dementia in more than 300 residences, although it warns that "there are still more than 4,000 centers in the country to adhere to."
This initiative, coordinated by Dr. Antonio Burgueño and brought to the forefront on the occasion of World Alzheimer's Day, celebrated this Monday, September 21, aims to recognize the work of assistance services and grant them a distinction as 'friendly centers'. This qualification is granted when a list of 65 quality criteria in residences for the elderly and patients with this pathology, collected in the scheme called 'Desatar 2.0', is met.
From CEOMA they explain that "professionals recognize that restraints cause up to thirty negative side effects for patients, increase the risk of falls due to loss of muscle mass and balance." They also point out that "in Spain, there is still much work to be done," although they acknowledge that "it is true that all residences work to make limited use of them."
Change of mentality in care
"It is not enough to remove the restraints, but the process goes beyond that, there has to be a change of mentality and a change in the way of working," Burgueño has indicated, who recalls that "although other pathologies can cause dementia, between 50 and 60 percent of all dementias are related to Alzheimer's disease," which "can affect memory, but it is not the only cognitive deficit observed."
The specialist points out that "today, we do not know how to prevent Alzheimer's disease, but we know more and more about preventing the development of dementia, especially when it develops late," and adds that "there is no scientific basis to directly relate technology consumption with Alzheimer's, although there is indirectly, to the extent that they cause sedentary behavior, overweight, and other factors with cardiovascular consequences."
Finally, Burgueño emphasizes the need to "create a warning system that starts from early stages of disease development" and highlights that "it is common for older people to visit the Primary Care doctor and the pharmacy with some frequency, which makes these two care points part of the warning system."