INDEP

There is a lack of research evidence regarding the needs of people with dementia who live alone with no informal carer, including how practitioners can best support them and have helpful care planning conversations.

This study will address the challenges of personalised care planning with and for people living alone with dementia, without informal carers, by understanding their care/support needs and strengths, how primary care can best engage with these patients to co-create personalised care plans as well as the facilitators and barriers to primary, secondary and social care services collaborating to share and enact these plans. This project will result in a training resource designed to support primary care teams deliver personalised care planning for people living alone with dementia without informal carers.

• Chief Investigator: Dr Sarah Griffiths
• Study Sponsor: University College London

Patient participation

The study will consist of three overlapping workstreams (WS):

• WS1: Interviews with people living alone with dementia without informal carers and primary and social care practitioners.
• WS2: Observations of care planning conversations between people living alone with dementia without informal carers and practitioners. Brief interviews conducted immediately following observations.
• WS3: Co-production workshops and iterative development of a staff training resource. 

Sites will specifically be requested to provide support with identification of patients and practitioners for WS1 and WS2. 

Patient eligibility

Patients living alone with dementia and no informal carers (A pre-made EMIS search will be provided, however GPs are encouraged to screen the eligible patient list to ensure appropriate patients are contacted) 

Inclusion:

• Clinical or probable diagnosis of mild/moderate dementia
• Capacity to provide informed consent
• Living alone, either in their own home or in supported accommodation
• Not receiving any ongoing support from an informal carer 

Exclusion:

• Aged under 18
• Living in residential care or with others
• Currently receiving support from an informal carer
• No capacity to provide informed consent 

Practitioners

Inclusion:

• Health and social practitioners involved in personalised care planning for people living alone with dementia without any informal carers
• Able to communicate fluently in English
• Willing and able to provide informed consent

Exclusion:

• Aged under 18 

To express an interest in this study or find out information on other studies open to you, please contact us.