SHARED DECISION MAKING IN DEMENTIA CARE PLANNING: INVOLVING FAMILY CAREGIVERS

Abstract

Shared decision-making (SDM) allows people with dementia to participate in making choices. Including families and dementia residents in SDM can be challenging for nursing home staff. The objective of this study was to identify barriers and facilitators regarding the implementation of an SDM framework for care planning in an Italian and Dutch nursing home. Focus group interviews were conducted with professional caregivers who applied the SDM framework. Content analysis was used to analyze the data. This study is part of a controlled trial. The results of focus group interviews (n=10 in Italy; n=10 in the Netherlands) revealed 6 overarching themes and 16 categories. Within these themes, facilitators as well as barriers were identified. Communication skills training for professionals, training of family caregivers and involvement of the management level in the implementation process, seem to be crucial factors to implement SDM in nursing homes.