School of Nursing & Midwifery Annual Report 2018

Catherine McAuley School of Nursing and Midwifery, UCC

Evaluation of The Alzheimer Society of Ireland Dementia Adviser Service Report Project commissioned by the Alzheimer Society of Ireland and Health Service Executive

Mc Loughlin, Dr Rónán O’Caoimh. Internal adviser: Professor Jonathan Drennan, University College Cork. External adviser: Professor Charlotte Clarke, Edinburgh University Selected References: Coffey, A., Cornally, N., Hegarty, J., O’Caoimh, R., O’Reilly, P., O’Loughlin, C., Drennan, J., Clarke, C., Hartigan. I (2018). Evaluation of The Alzheimer Society of Ireland Dementia Adviser Service. https://www.lenus.ie/bitstream/handle/10147/623818/ Dementia%20Advisor%20Evaluation%20Report%20Sept%2018. pdf?sequence=2&isAllowed=y

The Story: Navigating a health system in any country can be challenging, this process is further compounded by a diagnosis of dementia. Against this background the role of the Dementia Advisor (DA) was established. The Dementia Adviser, was identified as a resource to guide people with dementia and their families during the post diagnostic stage and beyond. The Alzheimer Society of Ireland (ASI) provides a Dementia Adviser Service (DAS), funded by the Health Service Executive, in eight locations nationally, supporting 1,700 clients. Dementia Advisers (DAs) provide advice for people living with dementia (PLWD) and their families and signpost to other key services available. The operationalisation of their role varies according to the resources and services available within their geographical location. A mixed method research study underpinned by the RE-AIM organising framework was conducted in 2018 to evaluate the existing DAS in Ireland from the perspectives of all stakeholders (PLWD, Carers, Health and Social Care professionals and Dementia Advisers). Data collection entailed a scoping review, survey methods, key informant interviews and case exemplars. This was the first major evaluation the ASI of Ireland National Dementia Adviser Services. The evaluation provided evidence of overall high levels of satisfaction with the DAS and demonstrated the importance DAS for people living with dementia and their families. However, better integration of the DAS with existing services and greater awareness of the service with wider national coverage is needed. A longitudinal study is recommended to measure the impact of support interventions provided by the DAS over time. The results of this evaluation was instrumental to continuing the provision of funding of the DAS.

HIGHLIGHTS

Our research demonstrated the impact of the Dementia Adviser Service and the need to sustain this service for people living with dementia and their families.

Evaluation report

PROJECT PARTNERS

The Team: Professor Alice Coffey (Lead Researcher), Dr Nicola Cornally, Prof. Josephine Hegarty, Dr Irene Hartigan, Dr Kathy

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