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Table 11 Randomised Controlled Trials - Team based/Multi-Agency/Integrated Support Roles – Level II Evidence

From: What is the effectiveness of the support worker role for people with dementia and their carers? A systematic review

Article

Sample

Intervention

Control

Outcome measures

Outcomes/results

Conclusion

Eloniemi-Sulkava et al., 2009 [49]

Finland

N = 125 community-dwelling couples with one spouse caring for the other spouse with dementia

• N = 63

• Maximum 24-month multi-component intervention with a family care coordinator (trained public health registered nurse with dementia education), a geriatrician, support groups for caregivers and individualised services

• N = 62

• Continued in usual community care and received care and services from the municipal social and healthcare system, the private sector or both depending on their own initiative.

• Primary Outcome – time from enrolment to long-term institutionalisation

• Functional and Wellbeing measures – Barthel Index, Neuropsychiatric Inventory, Zarit Burden Scale

• 100 % data for institutionalisation and deaths. Intention to treat used.

• At 1.6 years statistically more people with dementia had been admitted to long-term institutional care however at 2 years this was no longer statistically significant

• Significant decrease in costs of municipal social and healthcare services in the intervention group compared to the control however when the intervention costs are included this result is no longer significant

Lack of level II, high quality evidence for a 24-month multi-component support program including a family care coordinator, a geriatrician, goal-orientated peer support groups and individualised services to significantly delay long term-institutionalisation of people with dementia.