Collaborative Community Support for People Impacted by Dementia: A Social Return on Investment Analysis

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Social Gerontology
• Community Health

Background:

• Dementia impacts individuals and communities, particularly in rural areas with limited resources.
• Community-based initiatives are crucial for supporting the well-being of those affected by dementia.
• The Connecting People and Community for Living Well (CPCLW) initiative addresses these needs in rural settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the social value generated by the CPCLW initiative.
• To assess the return on investment for community-based dementia support programs.

Main Methods:

• A Social Return on Investment (SROI) analysis was conducted.
• Data was collected over a 12-month period (March 2022 - March 2023).
• The analysis quantified the social value created relative to financial investment.

Main Results:

• The CPCLW initiative generated over six dollars in social value for every dollar invested.
• Significant value was created for multiple stakeholders, including individuals with dementia, their families, and the community.
• Investment in multi-sector, community-based teams yielded substantial social returns.

Conclusions:

• Community-based dementia support initiatives in rural areas are a valuable investment.
• Collaborative, multi-sector approaches effectively maximize social value and improve well-being for those impacted by dementia.
• The CPCLW model demonstrates a successful strategy for sustainable community health and support.