CONNAUGHT HOUSE Do people with Korsakoff Syndrome benefit from supported living accommodation

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CONNAUGHT HOUSEDo people with Korsakoff
Syndrome benefit from supported living
accommodation?
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Korsakoff Syndrome (KS)

• KS is a memory disorder caused by lack of vitamin
  B1 (poor diet, poor absorption)
• Classical symptoms- loss of memory (ST), loss of
  spontaneity and initiative, confabulations, lack
  of insight, apathy, talkative or repetitive
  behaviours, unsteady gait when walking, poor
  hand, finger control
• Affects persons ability to plan organise
• Affects persons ability to live an independent
  life

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Alcohol in Northern Ireland
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Amnesic Syndrome Admission to Northern Ireland
Hospitals
ICD-10 Korsakoff Syndrome included under the
umbrella of Amnesic Syndrome
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Connaught House

• 5 bedded supported living unit
• Opened in June 2004. Data collection began in
  September 2004.
• First facility in Ireland which is specifically
  aimed at addressing the needs of people with KS.

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Staffing Structure
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Overall Objective

• Encouraging optimum level of independence through
  receiving practical help and support in dealing
  with everyday situations.

Doing things with the individual rather than
doing things for them
For example Re-discovering old skills lost
through and brain damage (alcohol abuse) and lack
of use (living situation) Rekindling positive
relationships lost through hectic lifestyle
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Model of care

• Provide a safe alcohol free environment
• Provide support with all aspects of daily living
• e.g. regular nutritious meals, personal hygiene,
  accessing medical services, budgeting finances
• Encourage meaningful daytime activities
• Support encourage family involvement
• Encourage social inclusion/ community involvement
  
• Support alcohol abstinence
• Memory exercises

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Taking careof the hens
Combining daily tasks with pet therapy
Dinner time for Honey the dog
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Activities
Memory Exercises
Memory is the diary that we all carry around
with us. (Oscar Wilde 1969)
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Activities
Rediscovering lost skills and uncovering interests
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Evaluation

• 3 Year case study based evaluation

Tenant Outcomes baseline 6 months 12
months

• Daily living skills (personal hygiene,
  household chores)
• Quality of life (physical, mental, social)
• Depression
• Alcohol relapse
• Improvements in everyday memory
• Family Involvement

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Methodological Techniques

• Range of standardised questionnaires
• LSP (Parker et al. 1991)
• QOL-AD (Logsdon et al. 1999)
• CES-D (Radloff 1977)
• Semi structured Interviews (tenants staff)
• Postal Questionnaire (family members)
• Record Analysis (tenant monthly summaries, review
  notes, incident reporting)
• Observation
• Informal conversations with staff

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Overview of 2 tenants

• Individual Tenant
• Demographics Background
• Outcome from key areas- daily living skills
  quality of life
• General Overview
• Alcohol Relapse
• Everyday Memory Exercises

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Case Study 1 Philip

• Age on entry to scheme 38
• Length diagnosed 5 yr
• Previous Accommodation Long Stay Psychiatric
  Hospital/ 5 years
• Co-morbidity Bi-polar depression

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Philip Daily Living Skills

• Feeding hens, hovering his room, helping with
  meals
• Washing ironing his own laundry
• Attending a day centre 2-3 times per week

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Philip Quality of Life

• Uses staff for reassurance support (mood
  cravings)
• Regular visits from children on a Sunday

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Case Study 2 Mark

• Age on entry to scheme 57
• Length diagnosed 6yr
• Co-morbidity Brain Injury due to fall
• Previous Accommodation Mental Health Flat
  Cluster / 4 years

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Mark Daily Living Skills

• Overall improvement in personal hygiene and diet
• No incidents of drinking
• Physical mental health problems- limited chores
  
• much help with self care

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Mark Quality of Life

• Reluctance to accept support
• Higher level of supervision has lead to improved
  living conditions, general health, personal
  hygiene

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Alcohol Relapse

• 1 alcohol relapse
• Family- agree with no alcohol policy
• Factor in unsuccessful tenancies

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Memory Exercises

• 2-3 times per week i.e. contact family/friends,
  social events, financial situation, and meals
• Reduction in anxiety and challenging behaviour
• Improvements in everyday memory
• Evening activities i.e. reminiscing games, quiz

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Conclusion

• Encouraging optimum level of independence
• through receiving practical help and support
• in dealing with everyday situations.

For more information www.praxiscaregroup.org.uk
Email christineirvine_at_praxiscaregroup.org.uk 02
8 91 727195