What do service planners and policy-makers need from research?

Abstract

Nine policy preoccupations have been identified in a recent study of dementia care policies in all European countries. These are used to structure a set of issues which researchers might usefully address to assist service planners and policy‐makers. Areas where there is already a research literature are identified. Some description and commentary on the application of current policies in the UK is provided to illustrate the need for research. It is suggested that service planners and policy‐makers march to some distant drum which is only remotely related to research, if at all. However, the importance of a research base is stressed with the suggestion that research in related fields could usefully be transferred. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Nursing Home Admission in Elderly Subjects With Dementia: Predictive Factors and Future Challenges

“…However, compared with other diseases, dementia is a relatively new area of policy focus. But a few authors 12,13 have underlined principles that appear to be universally accepted in the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development member countries: remaining at home as long as possible (delaying institutionalization), supporting caregivers, and coordinating services at a local level whenever possible. Even if NHA can be convenient for people who suffer from more severe dementia, it also can be associated with unfavorable outcomes for residents in terms of mortality, and for their family in terms of emotional and financial challenges.…”

Quality of life of people with dementia in nursing homes in Austria: A cross-sectional study

“…Care and support in special care units offers the possibility to maintain the QoL of PwD accordingly [49] and to ease the interaction with PwD. [25] A dementia-specific environment may serve as therapeutic instrument [50] as well as a means for orientation and promotion of social interaction. [51] Its deficit-compensating effect can help improve the QoL of PwD.…”

Standards of care in home care services: A comparison of generic and specialist services for older people with dementia

“…Others describe themselves as 'specialist' insofar as they aim to provide a service tailored specifically towards the complex needs of older people with dementia. Little is known about the relative impact of separate versus general policies regarding the care of people with dementia (Marshall, 1999), and there has been debate for some years regarding the issue of whether specialist facilities offer the best model of care, or whether integration is more desirable (Chappell & Reid, 2000). However, despite the limited research findings and the uncertainty of the benefits of specialist provision, both the Audit Commission (2000) and the National Service Framework for Older People (Department of Health, 2001) have recommended that social services departments develop specialist services for this group.…”