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People with dementia and carer preferences for home support services in early-stage dementia

Objectives: To examine people with dementia and carer preferences for home support attributes in early-stage dementia, building on the paucity of evidence in this area. Method: Preferences from 44 people with dementia and 103 carers, recruited through memory clinics and an online questionnaire, were assessed with a Discrete Choice Experiment survey, with attributes informed by an evidence synthesis and lay consultation. A conditional logit model was used to estimate preference weights for the attributes within a home support ‘package’. Results: The most preferred attributes were support with personal feelings and concerns, provided by a trained counsellor at home (coefficient 0.67, p = <0.001) and information on coping with dementia, provided by an experienced worker at home (coefficient 0.59, p = <0.001). However, for people with dementia, opportunities for social and recreational activities were considered the most important (coefficient 0.48, p = <0.001). Conclusions: These preferences concur with emerging evidence on psychosocial interventions in dementia. Support with personal feelings, information and social engagement are important components. Additionally, knowledge of preferences of people with dementia and their carers can identify other attributes that may be important to effectiveness in ‘living well’ but for which there remains limited evidence.

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Key Information

Type of Reference
Jour
Type of Work
Journal article
Publisher
Informa UK ltd
ISBN/ISSN
1360-7863
Publication Year
2018
Issue Number
2
Journal Titles
Aging & Mental Health
Volume Number
22
Start Page
270
End Page
279