Beyond Diagnosis: Exploring Residual Autonomy in Dementia Through a Systematic Review
<i>Background and Objectives</i>: The connection between cognitive decline and autonomy represents a complex and multifactorial area of research. Cognitive decline manifests as a progressive impairment of higher mental functions and is typical of neurodegenerative conditions such as deme...
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MDPI AG
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Medicina |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/61/5/895 |
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| author | Anna Anselmo Francesco Corallo Maria Pagano Davide Cardile Angela Marra Giuseppa Maresca Rosaria De Luca Antonella Alagna Angelo Quartarone Rocco Salvatore Calabrò Irene Cappadona |
| author_facet | Anna Anselmo Francesco Corallo Maria Pagano Davide Cardile Angela Marra Giuseppa Maresca Rosaria De Luca Antonella Alagna Angelo Quartarone Rocco Salvatore Calabrò Irene Cappadona |
| author_sort | Anna Anselmo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <i>Background and Objectives</i>: The connection between cognitive decline and autonomy represents a complex and multifactorial area of research. Cognitive decline manifests as a progressive impairment of higher mental functions and is typical of neurodegenerative conditions such as dementia. Autonomy, on the other hand, is defined as an individual’s ability to independently manage activities of daily living and make informed decisions. The objective of this study was to investigate whether certain daily living skills can persist despite the advancement of dementia, and what factors contribute to their preservation in maintaining autonomy. <i>Materials and Methods</i>: A literature review was conducted using the databases PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Embase, and PsycInfo. Out of an initial pool of 12,113 studies, only 19 met the inclusion criteria and were selected for analysis. <i>Results:</i> The findings indicate that, in non-institutionalized settings, some daily living abilities may remain preserved despite cognitive deterioration. In contrast, within institutionalized environments, a significant correlation emerged between cognitive decline and the progressive loss of personal autonomy. <i>Conclusions</i>: This study highlights the importance of assessing residual abilities in individuals with dementia. Recognizing and supporting these remaining skills can play a crucial role in enhancing quality of life, delaying institutionalization, and promoting autonomy even in the presence of advanced cognitive decline. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-0df63e9db3cd4c6cab3aa43bcb90fc63 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1010-660X 1648-9144 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Medicina |
| spelling | doaj-art-0df63e9db3cd4c6cab3aa43bcb90fc632025-08-20T02:33:58ZengMDPI AGMedicina1010-660X1648-91442025-05-0161589510.3390/medicina61050895Beyond Diagnosis: Exploring Residual Autonomy in Dementia Through a Systematic ReviewAnna Anselmo0Francesco Corallo1Maria Pagano2Davide Cardile3Angela Marra4Giuseppa Maresca5Rosaria De Luca6Antonella Alagna7Angelo Quartarone8Rocco Salvatore Calabrò9Irene Cappadona10IRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino-Pulejo, S.S. 113 Via Palermo, C.da Casazza, 98124 Messina, ItalyIRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino-Pulejo, S.S. 113 Via Palermo, C.da Casazza, 98124 Messina, ItalyIRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino-Pulejo, S.S. 113 Via Palermo, C.da Casazza, 98124 Messina, ItalyIRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino-Pulejo, S.S. 113 Via Palermo, C.da Casazza, 98124 Messina, ItalyIRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino-Pulejo, S.S. 113 Via Palermo, C.da Casazza, 98124 Messina, ItalyIRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino-Pulejo, S.S. 113 Via Palermo, C.da Casazza, 98124 Messina, ItalyIRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino-Pulejo, S.S. 113 Via Palermo, C.da Casazza, 98124 Messina, ItalyIRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino-Pulejo, S.S. 113 Via Palermo, C.da Casazza, 98124 Messina, ItalyIRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino-Pulejo, S.S. 113 Via Palermo, C.da Casazza, 98124 Messina, ItalyIRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino-Pulejo, S.S. 113 Via Palermo, C.da Casazza, 98124 Messina, ItalyIRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino-Pulejo, S.S. 113 Via Palermo, C.da Casazza, 98124 Messina, Italy<i>Background and Objectives</i>: The connection between cognitive decline and autonomy represents a complex and multifactorial area of research. Cognitive decline manifests as a progressive impairment of higher mental functions and is typical of neurodegenerative conditions such as dementia. Autonomy, on the other hand, is defined as an individual’s ability to independently manage activities of daily living and make informed decisions. The objective of this study was to investigate whether certain daily living skills can persist despite the advancement of dementia, and what factors contribute to their preservation in maintaining autonomy. <i>Materials and Methods</i>: A literature review was conducted using the databases PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Embase, and PsycInfo. Out of an initial pool of 12,113 studies, only 19 met the inclusion criteria and were selected for analysis. <i>Results:</i> The findings indicate that, in non-institutionalized settings, some daily living abilities may remain preserved despite cognitive deterioration. In contrast, within institutionalized environments, a significant correlation emerged between cognitive decline and the progressive loss of personal autonomy. <i>Conclusions</i>: This study highlights the importance of assessing residual abilities in individuals with dementia. Recognizing and supporting these remaining skills can play a crucial role in enhancing quality of life, delaying institutionalization, and promoting autonomy even in the presence of advanced cognitive decline.https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/61/5/895dementiaactivities of daily living (ADL)autonomycontext |
| spellingShingle | Anna Anselmo Francesco Corallo Maria Pagano Davide Cardile Angela Marra Giuseppa Maresca Rosaria De Luca Antonella Alagna Angelo Quartarone Rocco Salvatore Calabrò Irene Cappadona Beyond Diagnosis: Exploring Residual Autonomy in Dementia Through a Systematic Review Medicina dementia activities of daily living (ADL) autonomy context |
| title | Beyond Diagnosis: Exploring Residual Autonomy in Dementia Through a Systematic Review |
| title_full | Beyond Diagnosis: Exploring Residual Autonomy in Dementia Through a Systematic Review |
| title_fullStr | Beyond Diagnosis: Exploring Residual Autonomy in Dementia Through a Systematic Review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Beyond Diagnosis: Exploring Residual Autonomy in Dementia Through a Systematic Review |
| title_short | Beyond Diagnosis: Exploring Residual Autonomy in Dementia Through a Systematic Review |
| title_sort | beyond diagnosis exploring residual autonomy in dementia through a systematic review |
| topic | dementia activities of daily living (ADL) autonomy context |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/61/5/895 |
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