Design and Development of a Community-Based, Interdisciplinary, Collaborative Dementia Care Program.

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Dementia Care
• Primary Care Integration

Background:

• Dementia care presents complex challenges for individuals and their families.
• Integrating specialized support within primary care settings is crucial for effective management.
• Existing models often lack comprehensive, dyadic, and interdisciplinary approaches.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline the design, development, and initial characteristics of participants in a pilot home-based dementia care program.
• To evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of an interdisciplinary, dyadic dementia care intervention.
• To assess satisfaction levels among persons with dementia, caregivers, and primary care providers.

Main Methods:

• A single-arm, pilot intervention involving Health Coaches delivering personalized dementia education and support.
• The program targeted dyads (persons with dementia and their caregivers) in partnership with primary care.
• Intervention was delivered home- and virtually-based, supervised by an interdisciplinary team.

Main Results:

• Eighty-seven dyads were enrolled across three primary care clinics between December 2018 and June 2020.
• The pilot program demonstrated feasibility and acceptability.
• High satisfaction was reported by primary care providers and caregivers involved in the program.

Conclusions:

• The Dementia Care Partners pilot program is a feasible and acceptable model for supporting dyads.
• The interdisciplinary, dyadic approach shows promise for improving dementia care within primary care.
• High satisfaction suggests potential for broader implementation and positive impact.