The Fife Dementia Strategy: 2010 – 2020 - The Knowledge Network

dementia. Prior to admission into care a number of important events should
occur to prepare the person with dementia, their family, and the care facility
which they will be entering for their arrival. Special attention must be given to
the person with dementia and their carer as needs are assessed and a care
plan is developed. Currently the carer is generally left to cope alone with very
little or no psychological support, and the same is true for the person with
dementia. This is despite studies which have shown that the psychological
burden continues once the person with dementia has been admitted into long
term care 59 , and that increasing stress and burden experienced by carers of
people with dementia is linked with worsening depression in both groups 60 .
A study published in 2005 61 showed that approximately a quarter of carers of
people with dementia in care homes felt that care facilities could do more to
help them become/remain involved in care. Areas for improvement included:
more frequent communication from the place of care; greater involvement in
activities; advice regarding how they can become more involved; and staff
being more responsive and open about problems at the facility. In order to
better provide a service for carers of people with dementia, long term care
facilities must ensure that carers are also provided a person centred
approach. The outcomes of this approach will be unique for each individual,
and may mean, for example, increased involvement in the development of the
person’s care plan, a gradual introduction into care, and opportunities for
counselling and support services during transition periods.
In order to improve the involvement and support of carers, families and friends
of people living in long term care, a gradual and supported introduction
scheme will be developed and utilised wherever possible and appropriate.
The scheme will involve their carer, family and friends to ensure that the care
plan is suited to the individual needs and life history of the person, and will
promote the continued involvement of personal networks and supports. The
gradual introduction scheme will be part of a programme developed by long
term care facilities aimed at involving and supporting carers and people with
dementia, and utilising their expertise.
Long term care facilities will also work to improve their integration into the
community by both inviting the community in and also engaging in activities
and events out with the home. Being active members of the local community
will not only reduce the stigma that is commonly held about care homes, but
may also improve the quality of life of the residents who will have increase
social and occupational opportunity.
59 Schulz R, Bell SH, Czaja SJ, et al. (2004). Long term placement of patients with dementia
and caregiver health and well-being. Journal of the American Medical Association. 292(8):
961-967.
60 Epstein-Lubow G, Duncan JD, Miller IW & Tremont G (2008). Persisting burden predicts
depressive symptoms in dementia caregivers. Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry & Neurology.
21(3): 198-203.
61 Port CL, Zimmerman S, Williams CS, Dobbs D, Pressier JS & Williams CW (2005).
Families filling the gap: Comparing family involvement for assisted living and nursing home
residents with dementia. The Gerontologist. 45(SI 1): 87-95.
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