An evaluation tool for Age-Friendly and Dementia Friendly Communities

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Public Health
• Community Development

Background:

• The Dementia Friendly Community (DFC) initiative aims to create supportive environments for individuals with dementia.
• Evaluating the effectiveness of DFC initiatives is crucial for their success and sustainability.
• An existing evaluation tool for Age-Friendly Cities was adapted for the DFC context.

Purpose of the Study:

• To pilot-test an adapted evaluation tool for the Dementia Friendly Community (DFC) initiative in Sheffield, UK.
• To identify strengths and areas for improvement in Sheffield's dementia-friendly approach.
• To provide findings and outputs for other communities developing dementia-friendly agendas.

Main Methods:

• Adaptation of an existing evaluation tool for dementia friendliness.
• Data collection through scoping conversations, documentary analysis, interviews, and group discussions.
• Evidence appraisal and assessment of Sheffield's dementia-friendly strategy, guided by a local steering group.

Main Results:

• Sheffield's DFC initiative shows strengths in older people's involvement, service provision, collaboration, and monitoring.
• Areas for improvement include resource allocation and utilization of existing dementia-friendly guidance.
• Recommendations focus on enhancing resource pooling, detailed recording, and evidence collection on community impact.

Conclusions:

• The study's findings are preliminary due to its pilot nature and limited resources.
• The research provides a foundation for further investigation into DFC evaluation.
• Key outputs include an adaptable logic model and an emerging evaluation framework for DFCs, informing ongoing development.