Journal
GERONTOLOGIST
Volume 61, Issue 6, Pages 965-976Publisher
OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC
DOI: 10.1093/geront/gnaa105
Keywords
Carers; Dyadic intervention; Health services; Non-pharmacological; Reablement
Categories
Funding
- National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Partnership Centre titled Dealing with Cognitive and Related Functional Decline in Older People [GNT9100000]
Ask authors/readers for more resources
This study demonstrated that the implementation of reablement programs, specifically the COPE program, is possible in multiple health systems, leading to increased well-being for individuals living with dementia and their families. The key factors contributing to successful implementation included therapist's strong intent, confidence, sense of control, and belief in the program's usefulness.
Background and Objectives: The translation of reablement programs into practice is lagging despite strong evidence for interventions that maintain function for the person living with dementia as well as improve carer well-being. The aim was to evaluate the implementation of an evidence-based program, Care of People with Dementia in Their Environments (COPE), into health services. Research Design and Methods: An implementation-effectiveness hybrid design was used to evaluate implementation outcomes while simultaneously involving a pragmatic pre-post evaluation of outcomes for people with dementia. We report uptake, fidelity to intervention, outcomes for people living with dementia and carers, and beliefs and behaviors of interventionists contributing to successful implementation. Results: Seventeen organizations in Australia across 3 health contexts, 38 occupational therapists, and 17 nurses participated in training and implementation. While there were challenges and delays in implementation, most organizations were able to offer the program and utilized different models of funding. Overall, we found there was moderate fidelity to components of the program. Pre-post outcomes for carer well-being and coping (Perceived Change Index, p < .001) and activity engagement of the person living with dementia (p = .002) were significantly increased, replicating previous trial results. What contributed most to therapists implementing the program (Determinants of Implementation Behaviour Questionnaire) was a stronger intent to deliver (p < .001), higher confidence (p < .001), a sense of control in delivery (p = .004), and a belief the program was very useful to their clients (p = .002). Discussion and Implications: This study demonstrated that implementation is possible in multiple health systems and beneficial to individuals and their families.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available