Development of best practice recommendations to enhance access to and use of formal community care services for people with dementia in Europe: a Delphi process conducted by the Actifcare project

Janne Røsvik, Mona Michelet, Knut Engedal, Sverre Bergh, Anja Bieber, Manuel Gonçalves-Pereira, Daniel Michael Portolani, Louise Hopper, Kate Irving, Hannah Jelley, Liselot Kerpershoek, Gabriele Meyer, Maria J. Marques, Britt Marie Sjølund, Anders Sköldunger, Astrid Stephan, Frans Verhey, Marjolein de Vugt, Bob Woods, Claire WolfsOrazio Zanetti, Geir Selbaek

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Citations (Scopus)
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Abstract

Objectives: Home-dwelling people with dementia and their informal carers experience barriers impeding access to community care services. This study is a part of the Actifcare project where eight countries participated. The aim was to achieve consensus on best practice recommendations for enhancing access to and use of formal community care services. Method: A Delphi consensus process was conducted. A total of 48 professional experts, 14 people with dementia and 20 informal carers rated the importance of 72 statements on a 7-point Likert scale. Consensus was based on the median and level of dispersion. Results: Sixty-two statements reached consensus, resulting in three categories of recommendations. An appointed contact person was central in Recommendations to enhance access. Coordination and flexibility in setting and type of services were among the Recommendations to enhance use. Training of health care personnel and person-centred care were central Recommendations that can facilitate access or use indirectly. Conclusion: The Actifcare Best Practice Recommendations suggest practical measures that can be taken by decision makers to enhance access and use of community care services, and thereby enhance quality of care and quality of life for home dwelling people with dementia and their informal carers.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2298 - 2309
JournalAging and Mental Health
Volume25
Issue number12
Early online date8 Oct 2020
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2021

Keywords

  • access
  • best practice
  • consensus
  • Delphi process
  • Dementia
  • services

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