Memory Care and Wellness Services: Efficacy of Specialized Dementia Care in Adult Day Services

Abstract

Purpose of the study: This investigation evaluated participant and caregiver outcomes of a program of specialized dementia adult day services (ADS; Memory Care and Wellness Services: MCWS).

Design and methods: One hundred eighty-seven participant-caregiver dyads were enrolled in a quasiexperimental research investigation; 162 attended MCWS and 25 were comparison dyads that met eligibility criteria but did not have access to ADS within their communities. The objectives of this investigation were to evaluate whether MCWS improved quality of life, mood, behavior, or functional status for participants with dementia and whether caregivers experienced decreased stress, burden, or depression, compared with comparison dyads.

Results: No significant differences were seen between MCWS and comparison dyads at 3 months. However, after 6 months, MCWS participants exhibited significantly fewer depressive behaviors (p < .05) and a trend toward fewer total behavior problems (p < .10) than comparison participants, and MCWS caregivers exhibited significantly less distress over behavior problems (total behavior problems, memory problems, depressive problems, all p < .05) than comparison caregivers.

Implications: Although modest, outcomes represent a reversal of the typical direction of change in both behavior problems and caregiver distress, despite the progression of cognitive and functional impairment. Caregivers were highly satisfied with the services. The MCWS program provides a model of a community-based dementia ADS and results provide support for further development of the program.

Keywords: Adult day services; Caregiving; Dementia.