What are the barriers to care integration for those at the advanced stages of dementia living in care homes in the UK? Health care professionalperspective.

NMUH Staff Publications

epub ahead of print

<span style="font-size: 10pt;">People with advanced <span class="highlight" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif;">dementia</span> are frequently bed-bound, doubly incontinent and able to speak only a few words. Many reside in care homes and may often have complex needs requiring efficient and timely response by knowledgeable and compassionate staff. The aim of this study is to improve our understanding of health care professionals' attitudes and knowledge of the barriers to integrated care for people with advanced <span class="highlight" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif;">dementia</span>. In-depth, interactive interviews conducted with 14 health care professionals including commissioners, care home managers, nurses and health care assistants in the UK. Barriers to care for people with advanced <span class="highlight" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif;">dementia</span> are influenced by governmental and societal factors which contribute to challenging environments in care homes, poor morale amongst care staff and a fragmentation of health and social care at the end of life. Quality of care for people with<span class="highlight" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif;">dementia</span> as they approach death may be improved by developing collaborative networks to foster improved relationships between health and social care services.</span>