What constitutes 'good' home care for people with dementia? An investigation of the views of home care service recipients and providers

Background: Our objective was to explore what people receiving and providing care consider to be'good' in-home care for people living with dementia. Methods: We conducted 36 in-depth interviews and two focus groups with key stakeholders in Australia in the first quarter of 2018. Participants included those receiving care (4 people living with dementia, 15 family carers) or providing care (9 case managers, 5 service managers, 10 home care workers). Qualitative thematic analysis was guided by Braun and Clarke's six-step approach. Results: Consensus was reached across all groups on five themes considered as important for good in-home dementia care: 1) Home care workers' understanding of dementia and its impact; 2) Home care workers' demonstrating person-centred care and empathy in their care relationship with their client; 3) Good relationships and communication between care worker, person with dementia and family carers; 4) Home care workers' knowing positive practical strategies for changed behaviours; 5) Effective workplace policies and workforce culture. The results contributed to the co-design of a dementia specific training program for home care workers. Conclusions: It is crucial to consider the views and opinions of each stakeholder group involved in providing/receiving dementia care from home care workers, to inform workforce training, education program design and service design. Results can be used to inform and empower home care providers, policy, and related decision makers to guide the delivery of improved home care services.

Automated summary

This study aimed to explore the definition of 'good' in-home care for people living with dementia from the perspectives of those receiving and providing care. The results identified five key themes considered important for good in-home dementia care: home care workers' understanding of dementia, person-centred care and empathy, relationships and communication, knowledge of positive strategies for changed behaviors, and effective workplace policies and culture. These findings can inform the development of training programs and service design for home care workers, ultimately improving the delivery of home care services for people with dementia.