Applying CLEAR Dementia Care in the home environment

: what works for whom and why?

Abstract

The first part of the thesis is an extended literature review which aimed to evaluate psychosocial models used within dementia care practice to reduce behavioural and psychosocial symptoms of dementia (BPSD) and caregiver burden in the home environment. It is increasingly recognised that individuals with dementia wish to remain in the home environment. While family caregivers provide the majority of essential care for persons with dementia in the home environment, support is required from formal health care professionals. As there are physical, psychological, social, and economic advantages for the individual with dementia remaining at home, the need for psychosocial models have come to the forefront of dementia care.

The second part of the thesis is an empirical study which aimed to evaluate a specific psychosocial model of care within the home environment. Individuals with dementia may present with Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD) which are recognised as being unmet needs which can contribute to high levels of caregiver burden.

This study aimed to evaluate CLEAR Dementia Care from the perspectives of Health Care Professionals (HCPs) who deliver the program. A qualitative design using semi structured interviews was applied. A thematic analysis of HCP’s experiences of CLEAR Dementia Care in the home environment showed four themes 1) Context matters: The home environment is a unique space, 2) Caring for dementia in the home environment invites different challenges, 3) Pivotal mechanisms that enable CLEAR to be beneficial in the home environment, 4) Barriers to applying CLEAR in the home environment. The findings can inform theoretical and service development in adapting CLEAR Dementia Care to the home environment for the individual with dementia.

Date of Award	Dec 2023
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Queen's University Belfast
Supervisor	Emma Berry (Supervisor) & Martin Dempster (Supervisor)