Annika Schmidt

[Regional Dementia Care Networks in Germany--results from the DemNet-D-Study regarding the quality of life of their users].

BACKGROUND Regional dementia care networks become more and more important in the care for community-dwelling persons with dementia (PwD). However, the quality of life of PwD, served by dementia care networks, has not been investigated yet. It also remains unclear if there are differences between urban and rural dementia care networks. This study therefore aims at investigating the quality of life of PwD using this care model, also regarding possible regional differences. METHODS Within the DemNet-D-Study, PwD and their primary caregivers were interviewed using typical outcome parameters (quality of life: QoL-AD, depression: GDS, challenging behaviour: CMAI, capacities of daily living: IADL, caregiver burden: BIZA-D). In addition to these parameters, regional differences were analysed using multi-level-analysis. RESULTS In total, 560 PwD (79.7 years; 57.0 % female) and their caregivers participated in the study. Both self- and proxy-rated quality of life is on a moderate level. The analysis shows a sufficient explanation of the quality of life. (self: p<0.001, R2=0.493; proxy: p<0.001, R2=0.406). Higher quality of life was found for PwD living together with their care givers and for those PwD with higher capacities of daily living. Regional (urban vs. rural) differences could not be found. CONCLUSION The quality of life of community-dwelling PwD using regional dementia care networks is comparable to those in other studies of outpatient dementia care. Further investigation should be carried out regarding different types of dementia care networks.

Regionale Demenznetzwerke in Deutschland

BACKGROUND Regional dementia care networks become more and more important in the care for community-dwelling persons with dementia (PwD). However, the quality of life of PwD, served by dementia care networks, has not been investigated yet. It also remains unclear if there are differences between urban and rural dementia care networks. This study therefore aims at investigating the quality of life of PwD using this care model, also regarding possible regional differences. METHODS Within the DemNet-D-Study, PwD and their primary caregivers were interviewed using typical outcome parameters (quality of life: QoL-AD, depression: GDS, challenging behaviour: CMAI, capacities of daily living: IADL, caregiver burden: BIZA-D). In addition to these parameters, regional differences were analysed using multi-level-analysis. RESULTS In total, 560 PwD (79.7 years; 57.0 % female) and their caregivers participated in the study. Both self- and proxy-rated quality of life is on a moderate level. The analysis shows a sufficient explanation of the quality of life. (self: p<0.001, R2=0.493; proxy: p<0.001, R2=0.406). Higher quality of life was found for PwD living together with their care givers and for those PwD with higher capacities of daily living. Regional (urban vs. rural) differences could not be found. CONCLUSION The quality of life of community-dwelling PwD using regional dementia care networks is comparable to those in other studies of outpatient dementia care. Further investigation should be carried out regarding different types of dementia care networks.

[Users of regional dementia care networks in Germany : First results of the evaluation study DemNet-D].

BACKGROUND In Germany a growing number of community-based support services for people with dementia (PwD) and their caregivers are organized in dementia care networks (DCN), which provide a single point of entry to social facilities and offer personal care and support. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to describe the health, functional and social characteristics of PwDs enrolled in DCNs throughout Germany because no data are currently available on this aspect. MATERIAL AND METHODS As part of the multi-center, multi-professional 12-month follow-up study DemNet-D, data on functional and psychological health, sociodemographic and dementia-specific factors and social inclusion were collected in standardized interviews with PwDs living at home. RESULTS A total of 560 PwDs with an average age of 80 years were enrolled in the study. Of the participants approximately 50 % had Alzheimers dementia and more than 75 % demonstrated at least a challenging form of behavior. More than half of the participants lived together with a partner or relative. Instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) were very limited; nevertheless, one in five PwDs showed no long-term care-dependency level. The participants reported having a relatively low feeling of loneliness and a high feeling of social inclusion, depending on the severity of dementia. CONCLUSION This is one of the very first studies generating data on PwDs who receive domiciliary care within DCNs in Germany. The results suggest that the regional DCNs make a successful contribution to overcoming the interface problem and can, therefore, contribute to a more stable care situation and better social integration of PwDs.

Nutzer und Nutzerinnen regionaler Demenznetzwerke in Deutschland

BACKGROUND In Germany a growing number of community-based support services for people with dementia (PwD) and their caregivers are organized in dementia care networks (DCN), which provide a single point of entry to social facilities and offer personal care and support. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to describe the health, functional and social characteristics of PwDs enrolled in DCNs throughout Germany because no data are currently available on this aspect. MATERIAL AND METHODS As part of the multi-center, multi-professional 12-month follow-up study DemNet-D, data on functional and psychological health, sociodemographic and dementia-specific factors and social inclusion were collected in standardized interviews with PwDs living at home. RESULTS A total of 560 PwDs with an average age of 80 years were enrolled in the study. Of the participants approximately 50 % had Alzheimers dementia and more than 75 % demonstrated at least a challenging form of behavior. More than half of the participants lived together with a partner or relative. Instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) were very limited; nevertheless, one in five PwDs showed no long-term care-dependency level. The participants reported having a relatively low feeling of loneliness and a high feeling of social inclusion, depending on the severity of dementia. CONCLUSION This is one of the very first studies generating data on PwDs who receive domiciliary care within DCNs in Germany. The results suggest that the regional DCNs make a successful contribution to overcoming the interface problem and can, therefore, contribute to a more stable care situation and better social integration of PwDs.

Erfahrungsberichte von Absolventen

Gerade habe ich das Ergebnis meiner ersten Studienarbeit bekommen und bin maslos enttauscht. Ich habe so viel gelesen, sogar 20 Seiten geschrieben und mir drei Nachte mit dieser schwierigen Fragestellung um die Ohren geschlagen – und nun das! Nur eine 4,0! Das kann doch nicht wahr sein! Der Betreuer mag mich nicht, hat mich noch nie gemocht. Wenige Tage spater …. Na ja, vielleicht war meine Arbeit doch nicht so gut. Vielleicht hatte ich sie doch jemandem zeigen sollen, aber dafur hatte ich nicht erst auf den letzten Drucker fertig sein durfen. Meine Freundin meinte, dass es wohl nicht so gunstig war, ausschlieslich Internetquellen zu nutzen. Jetzt bin ich auch schlauer, hatte ich das blos fruher gewusst. Warum hat mir das vorher keiner gesagt?

Ambulante Versorgung von Menschen mit Demenz – ein Überblick

Der Beitrag liefert einen Uberblick uber die ambulante Versorgung von Menschen mit Demenz und ihren versorgenden Angehorigen vor dem Hintergrund der Neuerungen der eingefuhrten Pflegestarkungsgesetze. Dabei werden verschiedene Leistungen der Pflegeversicherung exemplarisch beschrieben und die Situation informell Pflegender kurz beleuchtet. Als ein Beispiel fur sich entwickelnde alternative Wohn- und Versorgungsformen – gerade fur Menschen mit Demenz – werden anschliesend ambulant betreute Wohngemeinschaften detaillierter vorgestellt. Aufgrund der Entwicklungen, die u. a. der demografische Wandel mit sich bringt, wird abschliesend erortert, wie es langfristig gelingen kann, eine bedarfsgerechte und qualitativ angemessene ambulante Versorgung zu gewahrleisten.

Nutzer und Nutzerinnen regionaler Demenznetzwerke in Deutschland@@@Users of regional dementia care networks in Germany: Erste Ergebnisse der Evaluationsstudie DemNet-D@@@First results of the evaluation study DemNet-D

BACKGROUND In Germany a growing number of community-based support services for people with dementia (PwD) and their caregivers are organized in dementia care networks (DCN), which provide a single point of entry to social facilities and offer personal care and support. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to describe the health, functional and social characteristics of PwDs enrolled in DCNs throughout Germany because no data are currently available on this aspect. MATERIAL AND METHODS As part of the multi-center, multi-professional 12-month follow-up study DemNet-D, data on functional and psychological health, sociodemographic and dementia-specific factors and social inclusion were collected in standardized interviews with PwDs living at home. RESULTS A total of 560 PwDs with an average age of 80 years were enrolled in the study. Of the participants approximately 50 % had Alzheimers dementia and more than 75 % demonstrated at least a challenging form of behavior. More than half of the participants lived together with a partner or relative. Instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) were very limited; nevertheless, one in five PwDs showed no long-term care-dependency level. The participants reported having a relatively low feeling of loneliness and a high feeling of social inclusion, depending on the severity of dementia. CONCLUSION This is one of the very first studies generating data on PwDs who receive domiciliary care within DCNs in Germany. The results suggest that the regional DCNs make a successful contribution to overcoming the interface problem and can, therefore, contribute to a more stable care situation and better social integration of PwDs.

Ambulant betreute Wohngemeinschaften – Entwicklungen und Perspektiven

Veranderungen in der demografischen Altersstruktur der Bundesrepublik Deutschland, mit einer Verschiebung hin zu einem groseren Anteil alter und zunehmend unterstutzungsbedurftiger Menschen (vgl. Rothgang, Muller & Unger 2012), werden die Gesellschaft zukunftig vor grose Herausforderungen stellen. Insgesamt 2,5 Mio. Menschen mit Pflegebedarf gibt es derzeit, von den 1,18 Mio. allein durch Angehorige, 576.000 durch Angehorige und/oder ambulante Pflegedienste und 743.000 vollstationar in Heimen versorgt werden (vgl. Statistisches Bundesamt 2015, S. 5).

Versorgungsforschung zur vernetzten ambulanten Versorgung von Menschen mit Demenz – Strategien und Empfehlungen anhand von Praxiserfahrungen

Die zunehmende Alterung sowie eine abnehmende Geburtenrate fuhren in den nachsten Jahren zu deutlichen Veranderungen in der demografischen Altersstruktur der Bundesrepublik Deutschland. Im Jahr 2050 wird sich die Zahl der uber 80-Jahrigen von 4,4 Millionen im Jahr 2013 auf ca. 10 Millionen mehr als verdoppeln (vgl. Statistisches Bundesamt 2015a, S. 6). Aus dieser Alterung der deutschen Bevolkerung resultiert die anzahlmasige Zunahme von Personen mit bestimmten altersspezifischen Erkrankungen einerseits und andererseits der Anteile von Personen mit Mehrfacherkrankungen (vgl. Wurm & Tesch-Romer 2006).