Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://dx.doi.org/10.25673/37971
Title: Barriers and facilitators to the access to and use of formal dementia care : findings of a focus group study with people with dementia, informal carers and health and social care professionals in eight European countries
Author(s): Stephan, Astrid
Bieber, Anja
Hopper, Louise
Joyce, Rachael
Irving, Kate
Zanetti, Orazio
Portolani, Elisa
Kerpershoek, Liselot
Verhey, Frans
Vugt, Marjolein
Wolfs, Claire
Eriksen, Siren
Røsvik, Janne
Marques, Maria J.
Pereira, Manuel José GonçalvesLook up in the Integrated Authority File of the German National Library
Sjölund, Britt-Marie
Jelley, Hannah
Woods, Robert T.Look up in the Integrated Authority File of the German National Library
Meyer, GabrieleLook up in the Integrated Authority File of the German National Library
Issue Date: 2018
Type: Article
Language: English
Abstract: Background People with dementia and informal carers often access formal care late in the process of dementia. The barriers and facilitators to service use from the perspectives of different stakeholders involved are not well understood. Thus, we aimed to explore the barriers and facilitators of access to and utilisation of formal care from the perspectives of people with dementia, their informal carers and health and social care professionals. Method Focus groups with people with dementia, informal carers and professionals were conducted in eight European countries. Recruitment targeted people with dementia, informal carers with experience of formal care and professionals involved in providing (access to) formal care. Qualitative content analysis using open coding was used on a national level. Cross-national synthesis was based on the translated national reports. Results Overall, 55 focus groups with 261 participants were conducted, involving 51 people with dementia, 96 informal carers and 114 professionals. Sixteen categories describing barriers and facilitators were identified, referring to three global themes: Aspects related to 1) individuals involved, 2) the system or 3) overarching aspects. The attitudes and beliefs of people with dementia and their carers may have a major impact, and they often serve as barriers. Formal care was perceived as a threat to the individual independence of people with dementia and was thus avoided as long as possible. A healthcare professional serving as a constant key contact person could be an essential facilitator to overcome these barriers. Contact should be initiated proactively, as early as possible, and a trusting and consistent relationship needs to be established. Beyond that, the findings largely confirm former research and show that barriers to accessing and using formal care still exist across Europe despite a number of national and European initiatives. Conclusion Further investigations are needed to elaborate how the concept of a key contact person could be integrated with existing case management approaches and how the independence and autonomy of people with dementia can be strengthened when formal care needs to be accessed and used. These may be meaningful facilitators regarding enhanced access to formal care for people with dementia and their families.
URI: https://opendata.uni-halle.de//handle/1981185920/38214
http://dx.doi.org/10.25673/37971
Open Access: Open access publication
License: (CC BY 4.0) Creative Commons Attribution 4.0(CC BY 4.0) Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
Sponsor/Funder: Publikationsfond MLU
Journal Title: BMC geriatrics
Publisher: BioMed Central
Publisher Place: London
Volume: 18
Issue: 131
Original Publication: 10.1186/s12877-018-0816-1
Appears in Collections:Open Access Publikationen der MLU

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