Rights statement: This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Ageing and Mental Health on 13/01/2021, available online: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13607863.2020.1870204
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Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Implementing the Dementia Early Stage Cognitive Aids New Trial (DESCANT) intervention
T2 - Mixed-method process evaluation alongside a pragmatic randomised trial
AU - Chester, Helen
AU - Beresford, Rebecca
AU - Clarkson, Paul
AU - Entwistle, Charlotte
AU - Gillan, Vincent
AU - Hughes, Jane
AU - Orrell, Martin
AU - Pitts, Rosa
AU - Russell, Ian
AU - Symonds, Eileen
AU - Challis, David
AU - Members of the HoSt-D (Home Support in Dementia) Programme Management Group
N1 - This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Ageing and Mental Health on 13/01/2021, available online: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13607863.2020.1870204
PY - 2022/4/30
Y1 - 2022/4/30
N2 - ObjectivesThe DESCANT (Dementia Early Stage Cognitive Aids New Trial) intervention provided a personalised care package designed to improve the cognitive abilities, function and well-being of people with early-stage dementia and their carers, by providing a range of memory aids, together with appropriate training and support. This sub-study aimed to assess implementation and identify contextual factors potentially associated with participant outcomes.MethodA mixed-methods approach was adopted alongside the pragmatic randomised trial. Data were obtained from intervention records and interviews with five dementia support practitioners across seven National Health Service Trusts in England and Wales. A reporting framework was constructed from available literature and data assessed by descriptive statistics and thematic analysis.ResultsParticipation and engagement was high with 126 out of 128 participants completing the intervention with packages tailored to individual participants. Misplacing items and poor orientation to date and time were common areas of need. Memory aids frequently supplied included orientation clocks (91%), whiteboards (60%), calendars (43%) and notebooks (32%), plus bespoke items. Intervention duration and timing were broadly consistent with expectations. Variation reflected participants’ needs, circumstances and preferences. Qualitative findings suggested a potentially positive impact on the well-being of people with dementia and their carers. Issues associated with successful roll-out of the intervention are explored in the discussion.ConclusionSuccessful implementation increased confidence in future findings of the randomised trial. Depending on these, DESCANT may prove a scalable intervention with potential to improve the function and quality of life of people with dementia and their carers.
AB - ObjectivesThe DESCANT (Dementia Early Stage Cognitive Aids New Trial) intervention provided a personalised care package designed to improve the cognitive abilities, function and well-being of people with early-stage dementia and their carers, by providing a range of memory aids, together with appropriate training and support. This sub-study aimed to assess implementation and identify contextual factors potentially associated with participant outcomes.MethodA mixed-methods approach was adopted alongside the pragmatic randomised trial. Data were obtained from intervention records and interviews with five dementia support practitioners across seven National Health Service Trusts in England and Wales. A reporting framework was constructed from available literature and data assessed by descriptive statistics and thematic analysis.ResultsParticipation and engagement was high with 126 out of 128 participants completing the intervention with packages tailored to individual participants. Misplacing items and poor orientation to date and time were common areas of need. Memory aids frequently supplied included orientation clocks (91%), whiteboards (60%), calendars (43%) and notebooks (32%), plus bespoke items. Intervention duration and timing were broadly consistent with expectations. Variation reflected participants’ needs, circumstances and preferences. Qualitative findings suggested a potentially positive impact on the well-being of people with dementia and their carers. Issues associated with successful roll-out of the intervention are explored in the discussion.ConclusionSuccessful implementation increased confidence in future findings of the randomised trial. Depending on these, DESCANT may prove a scalable intervention with potential to improve the function and quality of life of people with dementia and their carers.
KW - Dementia
KW - pragmatic randomised trial
KW - intervention
KW - process evaluation
KW - mixed methods
U2 - 10.1080/13607863.2020.1870204
DO - 10.1080/13607863.2020.1870204
M3 - Journal article
VL - 26
SP - 667
EP - 678
JO - Aging and Mental Health
JF - Aging and Mental Health
SN - 1360-7863
IS - 4
ER -