[Efforts of the dementia support care team at the cardiovascular institute]

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Neurology
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Dementia care requires specialized support teams to manage complex patient needs.
• The dementia support care team (D-CAST) was implemented to provide comprehensive patient interventions.
• Evaluating the effectiveness of such teams is crucial for optimizing dementia care pathways.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the activities and impact of the dementia support care team (D-CAST).
• To assess changes in patient independence following D-CAST intervention.
• To identify factors influencing the timing and duration of D-CAST interventions.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 350 patients receiving D-CAST intervention from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2017, was analyzed.
• Evaluations included changes in life independence, time from hospitalization to intervention, intervention requests, and hospitalization duration.
• Patient data were collected at the beginning and end of the team intervention period.

Main Results:

• The average patient age was 81±9 years, with heart failure and aortic valve disease being common reasons for hospitalization.
• Key reasons for D-CAST intervention requests included cognitive impairment (40%) and delirium (36%).
• Of the patients, 16% showed improved independence, 66% maintained it, and 18% experienced a decrease, with delays noted for milder cases.

Conclusions:

• The D-CAST intervention had mixed results on patient independence.
• There is a need to refine assessment methods for dementia patients with mild cognitive impairment or early-stage functional decline.
• Improved assessment tools are necessary for timely and effective D-CAST interventions in all dementia severity levels.