Interventions promoting family involvement with care homes following placement of a relative with dementia: A systematic review

Abstract

There is a wealth of literature investigating the role of family involvement within care homes following placement of a relative with dementia. This review summarises how family involvement is measured and aims to address two questions: (1) which interventions concerning family involvement have been evaluated? And (2) does family involvement within care homes have a positive effect on a resident’s quality of life and behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia? After searching and screening on the three major databases PsycINFO, MEDLINE and CINAHL Plus for papers published between January 2005 and May 2021, 22 papers were included for synthesis and appraisal due to their relevance to family involvement interventions and or family involvement with resident outcomes. Results show that in 11 interventions designed to enhance at least one type of family involvement, most found positive changes in communication and family–staff relationships. Improvement in resident behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia was reported in two randomised controlled trials promoting partnership. Visit frequency was associated with a reduction of behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia for residents with moderate dementia. Family involvement was related to positive quality of life benefits for residents. Contrasting results and methodological weaknesses in some studies made definitive conclusions difficult. Few interventions to specifically promote family involvement within care homes following placement of a relative with dementia have been evaluated. Many proposals for further research made over a decade ago by Gaugler (2005) have yet to be extensively pursued. Uncertainty remains about how best to facilitate an optimum level and type of family involvement to ensure significant quality of life and behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia benefits for residents with dementia.

Comparisons on factors affecting residents fulfilling self-determination in ethno-specific and mainstream nursing homes: a qualitative study

“…However, we also found that residents with dementia relied on family members to monitor their conditions and advocate for them. Our finding supports a systematic review that described family involvement in residents’ care through frequent visits and associated such visits with improved health, wellbeing and quality of life for residents [ 37 ]. In another qualitative study, researchers found when staff showed intuitive knowledge they knew changes in residents and intervened even without residents’ initiation [ 21 ].…”

Comparisons on factors affecting residents fulfilling self-determination in ethno-specific and mainstream nursing homes: a qualitative study

“…However, we also found that residents with dementia relied on family members to monitor their conditions and advocate for them. Our nding supports a systematic review that described family involvement in residents' care through frequent visits and associated such visits with improved health, wellbeing and quality of life for residents [35] . In another qualitative study, researchers found when staff showed intuitive knowledge they knew changes in residents and intervened even without residents' initiation [21] .…”

Family involvement with care homes following placement of a relative living with dementia: a review

“…This systematic review and the second paper in this series (Interventions promoting family involvement with care homes following placement of a relative living with dementia: A systematic review. (Hayward et al, 2021) provide a comprehensive view of FI, including a proposed new definition, the nature of FI and process involved, how FI relates to PCC and FCC principles, measures of FI, the impact of FI on residents' wellbeing and how FI is being promoted in care homes. Together, the papers support researchers and care home providers to make informed decisions in the dementia field.…”