An evaluation of an augmented domiciliary service to older people with dementia and their carers

Older people with dementia and their carers living in an area of north east London were assessed at six-monthly intervals over a two-year period to establish whether an augmented domiciliary service, targeted at dementia sufferers and their families made any difference to the outcome of the person with dementia, their rate of admission into long-term residential care and the psychological wellbeing of their principal carers. Thirty-eight families participated in the study: 19 received the additional support and 19 were matched pairs. There was a significant difference in the length of time that the person with dementia was able to continue living at home, but no evidence that the service significantly affected either the functioning of the clients or the psychological profiles of the main carer. The study suggests that a specialized and well-targeted home care dementia support service helps carers to continue caring for longer.