Care Model and Effectiveness of Dementia Special Care Units-- a Cross-sectional Survey in China

Abstract

Background: Dementia special care unit (D-SCU) is a main care mode for the elderly with dementia, and has increased steadily internationally. However, little is known about the D-SCUs of China. The present study aimed to analyze and summarize the types and standards of D-SCUs in China, and evaluate the care efficiency of the D-SCU care model.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted between June 2018 and July 2019 in 6 cities of China. Quantitative data about the basic information and the care satisfaction were collected from 25 care facilities in the 6 cities. Qualitative data about the care status of the elderly with dementia, the standards, the management and the operation of the D-SCUs were collected among the 25 care facilities and the 3 cities that had issued standards for setting D-SCUs. Grounded theory method was used to analyze the qualitative data, and data envelopment analysis (DEA) method was applied to evaluate the care efficiency of the D-SCU care model.Results: The technical efficiency, pure technical efficiency and scale efficiency of care facilities with D-SCUs were higher than those of care facilities without D-SCUs (P=0.016, P=0.022, and P=0.021, respectively). The types of D-SCUs could be divided into independent, semi- independent, semi-dependent and dependent according to the architecture, physical space, and management mode. The standards for the area, environment, beds, service items of the D-SCUs were various among the 3 cities that had issued standards for setting D-SCUs.Conclusions: The care model of D-SCUs is effective and professional, and can be further promoted in China. The exploration and standard research on the D-SCUs should be strengthened in future.