Dementia is a growing concern worldwide, with many individuals opting to remain in their homes as long as possible. However, this preference often leads to complex care needs that can result in involuntary treatment—care provided against the wishes of the person with dementia (PwD) or to which they resist. A recent study conducted in the Netherlands and Belgium sheds light on this issue, providing valuable insights for practitioners looking to improve their skills and deliver better care.
The Study: Key Findings
The research titled "Involuntary treatment in dementia care at home: Results from the Netherlands and Belgium" involved secondary data analyses of two cross-sectional surveys. Dementia case managers and district nurses filled out questionnaires for each PwD in their caseloads. The study included data from 627 PwD receiving professional home care in the Netherlands and 217 in Belgium.
The findings were eye-opening:
- More than half of the PwD (50.7%) living at home received involuntary treatment.
- Nonconsensual care was the most common form of involuntary treatment (82.7%), followed by psychotropic medication (40.7%) and physical restraints (18.5%).
- Involuntary treatment was more prevalent among those living alone, with greater ADL dependency, lower cognitive ability, higher family caregiver burden, and those receiving home care in Belgium versus the Netherlands.
- Family caregivers were most often the ones requesting involuntary treatment.
Implications for Practitioners
This study highlights several areas where practitioners can focus their efforts to improve dementia care at home:
1. Enhancing Communication
Open dialogue between professional and family caregivers is crucial. By fostering communication, practitioners can better understand the needs and preferences of both PwD and their caregivers, potentially reducing the need for involuntary treatments.
2. Providing Support for Family Caregivers
The study found that family caregivers often request involuntary treatments due to high levels of burden. Offering support services such as counseling or respite care can alleviate some of this pressure, leading to more consensual care decisions.
3. Promoting Person-Centered Care
Person-centered care focuses on respecting and valuing each PwD as an individual with unique needs and preferences. Training staff to implement person-centered approaches can help minimize resistance from PwD and reduce reliance on involuntary treatments.
4. Conducting Further Research
The study calls for more research into variations in involuntary treatment prevalence across different countries and factors influencing these differences. Practitioners should stay informed about new findings and consider participating in research initiatives to contribute to a broader understanding of dementia care.
Conclusion
This study provides important insights into the use of involuntary treatments in dementia care at home. By implementing these findings, practitioners can enhance their skills, reduce caregiver burden, and provide more compassionate care for individuals with dementia.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Involuntary treatment in dementia care at home: Results from the Netherlands and Belgium.
