TY - JOUR

T1 - 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

AU - Røsvik, Janne

AU - Michelet, Mona

AU - Engedal, Knut

AU - Berg, Sverre

AU - Bieber, Anja

AU - Goncalves-Pereira, Manuel

AU - Portolani, Daniel Michael

AU - Hopper, Louise

AU - Irving, Kate

AU - Jelley, Hannah

AU - Kerpershoek, Liselot

AU - Meyer, Gabriele

AU - Marques, Maria J.

AU - Sjölund, Britt-Marie

AU - Skoldunger, Anders

AU - Stephan, Astrid

AU - Verhey, Frans

AU - de Vugt, Marjolein

AU - Woods, Bob

AU - Wolfs, Claire

AU - Zanetti, Orazio

AU - Selbaek, Geir

PY - 2021/12

Y1 - 2021/12

N2 - ObjectivesHome-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.MethodA 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.ResultsSixty-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.ConclusionThe 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.

AB - ObjectivesHome-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.MethodA 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.ResultsSixty-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.ConclusionThe 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.

U2 - 10.1080/13607863.2020.1822286

DO - 10.1080/13607863.2020.1822286

M3 - Article

VL - 25

SP - 2298

EP - 2309

JO - Aging and Mental Health

JF - Aging and Mental Health

SN - 1360-7863

IS - 12

ER -