Evaluation of two models of social care for people in the community affected by dementia
Authors: Nyman, S.R., Innes, A. and Mc Parland, P.
Conference: British Society of Gerontology
Dates: 11-13 September 2013
Abstract:Research objective With increasing numbers of older people living in the community with dementia, efforts are required to identify the best ways to support them and their carers to sustain good quality of life. To this end, we evaluated two memory advisory services operating in the South of England.
Methods Qualitative face-to-face interviews were conducted with 10 staff (5 from each service) and 20 service users (10 from each service). Most service user interviews were jointly conducted with the person with dementia and their carer. The data was managed using Nvivo (v.10) and analysed using framework analysis.
Main results One service focused on its provision of weekly memory cafés that afforded social engagement, enjoyment, and mental stimulation. However, two service users had unmet needs in relation to help with activities of daily living and need for exercise. The other service focused on providing home visits that afforded tailored and sustained support, which led to signposting to other services, emotional support for carers, and help with instrumental tasks such as booking a holiday with respite care. However, there were some unmet needs such as help with managing a spouse with dementia’s changes in mood and information to financially plan for care home admission.
Conclusions While both models were successful to some degree, the service that provides home visits appears more successful in identifying and meeting individual needs, with a holistic and sustained approach, and thereby helping people with dementia and their carers in the community sustain good quality of life.
Source: Manual