Title
Evaluation of the Memory Matters Community Dementia Project, Carlow/Kilkenny
Research team
Dr Anne-Marie Brady, Dr Aurelia Ciblis, Dr Geralyn Hynes, Dr Brian Keogh, Dr Louise Daly, Mr Brendan Kennelly, Dr Mairéad Bracken-Scally, Prof Mary McCarron
Results
2017

Evaluation: Memory Matters project,  Carlow/Kilkenny

School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin and Department of Economics, National University of Ireland, Galway

This report presents the findings of an evaluation of the Memory Matters Community Dementia Project in Carlow/Kilkenny (2014-2016), one of five projects funded under the HSE & Genio Dementia Programme to develop and test innovative individualised supports for people at an advancing and complex stage of dementia.

Aims

This project adopted a reablement approach, with a focus on helping people maintain their abilities, rather the conventional home care approach of doing things for people, and providing flexible, person-centred and responsive home care services. The project also developed educational initiatives for statutory and voluntary service providers in the region, including reablement training for home helps. Assistive technology was also made available to support people to live as independently and safely as possible. A comprehensive evaluation of the project was undertaken, using mixed methods and underpinned by the RE-AIM framework, which assessed project activity in terms of reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation and maintenance.  

Outcomes

Fifty-five people with dementia and their family carers received Memory Matters supports through the project, two-thirds of whom were supported to remain at home. The individualised nature of the supports and their flexibility facilitated reablement activities and the experience of people with dementia and their families of the supports were positive. The flexibility of supports was of particular benefit to family carers.

Findings

The personalised Memory Matters supports were delivered using existing resources for community care services. The evaluation found that people with advanced dementia could be supported to remain at home for an average cost to the HSE of €607 per week, which is significantly lower than the costs of long-stay residential care. When the costs of family caring was included, the cost of supporting a person with dementia to remain living at home was lower than long-stay residential care for more than 80% of the people supported by the project.

The assistive technology provided reassurance to family members, but had limited application in supporting the person with advanced dementia.

The education initiatives were positively evaluated and staff participating reported increasing confidence in adopting a reablement approach to community care.    

Key Points
  • People with advanced dementia stated a preference to remain at home, which is also the preference of their family carers and was seen to have important benefits for the person with dementia.
  • The Memory Matters project helped to enable the majority of people with dementia, supported through the project, to remain living at home.    
  • Reablement was viewed positively by people with dementia and their family carers. They particularly valued the use of supports to engage people with dementia in meaningful activities, maintaining ability and providing an opportunity for enjoyment, contentment, recreation and social connection.   
  • Personalised home care supports, for the vast majority of people with advanced dementia, can be provided at a cost to the HSE that is significantly lower than care in a long-stay residential setting.
Findings Summary

8-page summary document of key findings also available.

Genio
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Pearse St., Dublin 2, D02 YH27, Ireland
Phone +353 1 707 1700
Email [email protected]

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