Dementia care coordinator service & community dementia support workers community inclusion focused

Description

The Community Dementia Care Coordinator service and its staff are improving the lives of People Living with Dementia.
At present, it is estimated that there are approximately 64,000 people living with dementia in Ireland. This number is expected to rise to 150,000 by 2045 In the recent report published by the HSE the authors believe that offering high quality, person-centered care in the community is becoming increasingly important for overall brain health and to enable people living with dementia to maintain their independence and live well at home .
The Dementia Care Coordinator service in CHO4 is providing equitable access to person-centered, human rights orientated care and support for people living with dementia, and their care partners in their home and their communities. Helping them to live well and feel connected to the wider community. The enhanced home support provides a vital service for family carers, assisting with the physical duties of caring as well as providing a break from caring duties. Bernadette Horgan – Edmead is the Dementia Care Coordinator her role includes assessing and developing psychosocial interventions as part of a client’s Home Support Plan including supporting ability, social engagement and participation in meaningful activities (such as hobbies, household tasks and brain activity). Additionally managing and Providing clinical governance to a team of dementia support workers
Also developing local dementia friendly activities and allocated support workers to that (i.e. the Sunshine café in Bandon, Carrigaline and Kinsale are in set up stage.
The community dementia support workers (CDSW) work under the dementia care coordinator service and are the only team of its kind in Cork and Kerry.The support service is innovative and focuses on participation,respect and inclusion. Each CDSW offers people living with dementia a one to one personalized care with an individualized approach, recognizing and valuing each person’s dignity, respecting them and tailoring responses to their unique needs. They encourage the person to stay active and involved in their community with psycho-social activities. The CDSW work in their client’s home and at community events developed by the service, bridging the gap from home to the community, encouraging participation, promoting inclusion and reducing isolation and they use local networks and community amenities for their clients to remain socially connected. The Sunshine cafe in Bandon led by the CDSW acts as social network for clients and the wider community. They have guest speakers, art classes, hand massage and many other mainstream activities. According to the coordinator, Bernadette Horgan-Edmead, creativity is encouraged and is evident in the day-to-day care CDSWs provide. The personal touch to a person’s work gives them pride in their role and this is great to see
The team are recent recipients of the Psyched Recognition award for the year 2023, recognizing mental health promotion in the workplace. The team respect one another and work together to promote inclusion and wellbeing for people living with dementia in the community .

Reference:
E Begley, M Gibb, G Kelly, F Keogh, S Timmons. (2023). Model of Care for Dementia in Ireland. Tullamore: National Dementia Services

Aim of Initiative

To facilitate people living with dementia who need support to live well and active in their community.

Who is it aimed at

People with living with dementia and their care partners in the community .

3 Steps critical to success

1. Referrals to the service
2. Dementia care coordinator assessment
3. Developing shared goals with the person living with dementia and community dementia support worker with a focus on inclusion.

3 Challenges in Planning / Delivery

1. Building awareness that the service exists
2. Myths and misunderstandings in the communities about dementia.
3. Community awareness

3 Outcomes / Benefits

1. The person living with dementia lives well at home with community dementia support worker assistance.
2. The person living with dementia is included in community initiatives
3. Inclusion:The community dementia support worker bridges the gap from home to community ,developing events in partnership with the dementia care coordinator and supporting the person to be active in the community