Dementia service centres in Austria: A comprehensive support and early detection model for persons with dementia and their caregivers – theoretical foundations and model description

Abstract

Despite the highly developed social services in Austria, the County of Upper Austria, one of the nine counties of Austria had only very limited specialized services for persons with dementia and their caregivers in 2001. Support groups existed in which the desire for more specialized services was voiced. In response to this situation, funding was received to develop a new structure for early disease detection and long term support for both the person with dementia and their caregivers. This article describes the development of the model of the Dementia Service Centres (DSCs) and the successes and difficulties encountered in the process of implementing the model in six different rural regions of Upper Austria. The DSC was described in the First Austrian Dementia Report as one of the potential service models for the future.

How do people with dementia utilise primary care physicians and specialists within dementia networks? Results of the Dementia Networks in Germany (DemNet-D) study

“…, Auer et al . ). The Meeting Centers provide a single entrance point for various actions including case management and social supportive activities for people with dementia (PwD) in the local setting.…”

Diagnosis of cognitive decline and dementia in rural areas — A scoping review

“…Two identified studies are from the USA, one from Canada, Australia, and Austria, respectively (see Table ) …”

“…Another two studies described the establishment of specialized dementia institutions. An Austrian study illustrates the development of so‐called “dementia service centers” (DSCs) . These DSCs provided a “one‐stop‐shop” concept.…”

“…Two identified studies are from the USA, one from Canada, Australia, and Austria, respectively (see Table 1). [18][19][20][21][22] An Australian paper described the development of an online tool for the diagnosis of dementia in a rural area. 18 This tool provides the physicians access to information to assist with diagnosis, referral, and ongoing management of persons with dementia (PwDs).…”

“…An Austrian study illustrates the development of so-called "dementia service centers" (DSCs). 19 These DSCs provided a "one-stop-shop" concept. The relevant assessments for the patient, further care, and ongoing management were provided by a multidisciplinary team.…”