DemNet-D
DemNet-D Evaluating Dementia Care Networks in Germany
Project duration: 01/04/2012 - 31/01/2014
Principle investigator Berlin: Prof. Dr. Karin-Wolf-Ostermann
Project staff: Johannes Gräske, Saskia Meyer, Annika Schmidt,
Scientific Partners:
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases within the Helmholtz Association - Rostock/Greifswald
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases within the Helmholtz Association – Witten
- Baden-Wuerttemberg Cooperative State University Stuttgart
In cooperation with dementia care networks from the greater Berlin area:
- Demenzfreundliche Kommune Lichtenberg
- Demenzfreundlich! Treptow-Köpenick
- Netzwerk Demenz Teltow-Fläming
- Qualitätsverbund Netzerk im Alter Pankow e.V.
- "Unsere Kommune ist demenzfreundlich" Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf
and dementia care networks throughout Germany:
Aachen, Ahlen, Arnsberg, Düsseldorf, Krefeld, Minden-Lübbecke, Stralsund and Uckermark
Abstract:
The growing number worldwide of people with dementia (PwD) puts considerable strain upon healthcare delivery and demands interventions that support PwD and their relatives in their own living arrangements. In Germany, Dementia Care Networks (DCN) are engaged in providing multi-professional care and support for PwD in the community. These are local associations of different stakeholders (community care services, medical doctors, therapists, hospital facilities, self-help organisations, local authorities, etc.) engaged in care and support. However, DCN are not implemented systematically or nationwide. The research project therefore targets investigating characteristics and structures of a variety of DCN in Germany and evaluating their impact on the health outcomes of PwD and carers (e.g. quality of life, depression, social participation, use and costs of healthcare, burden of care). The aim of the study is to raise knowledge about useful structures of DCN and to prove effectiveness in terms of organising better support for PwD.
In this study we triangulate qualitative and quantitative methods. We evaluate outcomes of structures and processes in DCN by structured interviews. Additionally, using a longitudinal design we surveyed n = 750 PwD and family carers from 2012-2015. The results will shed some light on the question of which structural aspects describe successful DCN. Recommendations for systematic implementation will be drawn.
The study will be conducted by four scientific partners, each responsible for different parts of the study. The Alice Salomon University of Applied Sciences Berlin, Germany, is evaluating health outcomes of PwD encompassing quality of life, challenging behaviour, depression, and social participation.
Funding:
- Federal Ministry of Health
- Programme Zukunftswerkstatt Demenz
Contact:
Prof. Dr. Karin Wolf-Ostermann, wolf-ostermann@ uni-bremen.de