The Integration of Psychosocial Care into National Dementia Strategies across Europe: Evidence from the Skills in DEmentia Care (SiDECar) Project

Ilaria Chirico, Rabih Chattat, Vladimíra Dostálová, Pavla Povolná, Iva Holmerová, Marjolein E. de Vugt, Niels Janssen, Fania Dassen, María Cruz Sánchez-Gómez, Francisco José García-Peñalvo, Manuel A. Franco-Martín and Giovanni Ottoboni
Additional contact information
Ilaria Chirico: Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
Rabih Chattat: Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
Vladimíra Dostálová: Faculty of Humanities, Charles University, 182 00 Prague, Czech Republic
Pavla Povolná: Faculty of Humanities, Charles University, 182 00 Prague, Czech Republic
Iva Holmerová: Faculty of Humanities, Charles University, 182 00 Prague, Czech Republic
Marjolein E. de Vugt: Alzheimer Centrum Limburg, Maastricht University, 6229 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
Niels Janssen: Alzheimer Centrum Limburg, Maastricht University, 6229 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
Fania Dassen: Alzheimer Centrum Limburg, Maastricht University, 6229 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
María Cruz Sánchez-Gómez: Psycho-Sciences Research Group of IBSAL, Salamanca University, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
Francisco José García-Peñalvo: Psycho-Sciences Research Group of IBSAL, Salamanca University, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
Manuel A. Franco-Martín: Psycho-Sciences Research Group of IBSAL, Salamanca University, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
Giovanni Ottoboni: Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 7, 1-13

Abstract: There is evidence supporting the use of psychosocial interventions in dementia care. Due to the role of policy in clinical practice, the present study investigates whether and how the issue of psychosocial care and interventions has been addressed in the national dementia plans and strategies across Europe. A total of 26 national documents were found. They were analyzed by content analysis to identify the main pillars associated with the topic of psychosocial care and interventions. Specifically, three categories emerged: (1) Treatment, (2) Education, and (3) Research. The first one was further divided into three subcategories: (1) Person-centred conceptual framework, (2) Psychosocial interventions, and (3) Health and social services networks. Overall, the topic of psychosocial care and interventions has been addressed in all the country policies. However, the amount of information provided differs across the documents, with only the category of ‘Treatment’ covering all of them. Furthermore, on the basis of the existing policies, how the provision of psychosocial care and interventions would be enabled, and how it would be assessed are not fully apparent yet. Findings highlight the importance of policies based on a comprehensive and well-integrated system of care, where the issue of psychosocial care and interventions is fully embedded.

Keywords: psychosocial care; psychosocial intervention; policy; national strategies; dementia; Europe; health priorities; quality of life; Alzheimer’s disease; caregivers (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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