Identifying relevant psychosocial factors in the care of people with dementia: findings of a focus group study with health professionals and informal caregivers

Abstract

Aim The extent to which psychosocial factors are considered in the treatment and care of people with dementia is unknown, despite their promising treatment effects. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the relevance, implementation, and the challenges of integrating psychosocial factors in dementia care. Subject and methods A qualitative design, in adherence to the COREQ checklist, was used with three expert focus groups in the treatment and care of people with dementia (10 health professionals and 6 informal caregivers). The focus group discussions were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Results It emerged that psychosocial factors, particularly social contact, seem to come with a beneficial effect on daily life performance and general well-being. Psychosocial interventions also seem to aid people with dementia in experiencing competency. Findings also indicate that needs, interests, and preserved abilities should be the focus when deciding on the integration of psychosocial factors into care. Perceived barriers to the implementation of psychosocial factors in daily life were bureaucracy, inadequate staffing, cost, societal challenges, and limited offers of appropriate psychosocial services. Conclusion Psychosocial factors were consistently perceived as beneficial. Programs should be developed to address the barriers and implement model projects within the respective medical health care system to serve the dementia patients in the community as a whole.