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. 2021 Oct;24(5):1677-1691.
doi: 10.1111/hex.13307. Epub 2021 Jul 19.

A decision aid to support family carers of people living with dementia towards the end-of-life: Coproduction process, outcome and reflections

Nathan Davies  1   2 , Elizabeth L Sampson  2   3 , Emily West  2 , Tanisha DeSouza  1 , Jill Manthorpe  4   5 , Kirsten Moore  2   6 , Kate Walters  1 , Karen Harrison Dening  7 , Jane Ward  8 , Greta Rait  1
Affiliations

A decision aid to support family carers of people living with dementia towards the end-of-life: Coproduction process, outcome and reflections

Nathan Davies et al. Health Expect. 2021 Oct.

Abstract

Background: Family carers of people living with dementia often need support with making decisions about care. Many find end-of-life care decisions particularly difficult. The aim of this article is to present an evidence- and theoretical-based process for developing a decision aid to support family carers of people with dementia towards the end-of-life.

Methods: Following a systematic process, we developed a decision aid using coproduction methods and matrices to synthesize data from a systematic review and qualitative interviews with people living with dementia and family carers. Data were presented to coproduction workshops of people living with dementia, family carers, practitioners and professionals. Development was guided by the Ottawa Decision Support Framework and a modified Interprofessional Shared Decision-Making model.

Results: The decision aid covers four decision areas: (1) changes in care; (2) eating and drinking difficulties; (3) everyday well-being; and (4) healthcare, tests and medication. We present an interactive decision aid, using a variety of approaches including written text, Frequently Asked Questions, top tips and illustrative quotes from people living with dementia and family carers.

Conclusion: This is the first decision aid that focusses on multiple decisions towards the end-of-life in dementia care. The process offers a template for others to develop decision aids or similar interventions, and how to include people living with dementia in coproduction.

Patient or public contribution: Family carers provided feedback on data collection, data analysis and the decision aid, and one is a coauthor. People living with dementia and family carers were integral to the coproduction workshops.

Keywords: carers; codesign; coproduction; decision-making; dementia; end-of-life care.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that there are no conflict of interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Overview of the development process
Figure 2
Figure 2
Identifying carers' support networks
Figure 3
Figure 3
Myth busters examples from the eating and drinking decision section
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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    1. Davies N, Rait G, Maio L, Iliffe S. Family caregivers' conceptualisation of quality end‐of‐life care for people with dementia: a qualitative study. Palliat Med. 2016;31:726‐733. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Molyneaux V, Butchard S, Simpson J, Murray C. Reconsidering the term ‘carer': a critique of the universal adoption of the term ‘carer'. Ageing Soc. 2011;31(03):422‐437.

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