Empowerment is important for people with dementia in order to remain engaged with significant others, and to remain involved in society and the decision-making process regarding their care and support. Unfortunately, at present, effective empowerment interventions for people with dementia appear to be scarce, both in the Netherlands and internationally.
This Dutch project aimed to develop an effective empowerment intervention tailored for individuals with dementia, both at home and in care homes. It involved the collaboration of people with dementia and carers to identify the most effective and useful elements of existing empowerment interventions. A significant part of the project was adapting an existing empowerment intervention originally designed for people with young-onset dementia to meet the needs of older individuals with dementia.
To ensure a comprehensive and inclusive approach, the project integrated information from various sources. These included a European survey conducted in collaboration with Alzheimer Europe, focus-group meetings with people suffering from dementia, family caregivers, and healthcare professionals, as well as a literature review on empowerment in people with dementia.
The study received funding from the Memorabel program of ZonMw and the Deltaplan Dementie of Alzheimer Nederland, highlighting its significance and the support it garnered from notable organizations in the field of dementia research and care.
charlotte.vancorven@radboudumc.nl
