Quality Statement 7: Access to Support Services

Resources Quality Statements Advisory Committee About

Access to Support Services

People living with dementia and their caregivers have access to support services that are individualized and meet their ongoing goals and needs.

Background

People living with dementia can live independently for some time; as their condition progresses, they require increasing levels of support to help them remain in their homes and local communities for as long as possible. As such, they and their caregivers need access to a range of services that are timely, responsive, flexible, close to home, and tailored to their individual needs, strengths, capabilities, and choices. They need access to the right services, at the right time, and in the right place to help them in their journey.

What This Quality Statement Means

For People Living With Dementia and Their Caregivers

Your health care professional should link you with support services that meet your changing goals and needs. Examples of support services include assistance with personal care, help around the house, support groups, and transportation services.

For Clinicians

Offer support services to people living with dementia and their caregivers to help them meet their goals and needs. Advise them on available services and how to access them.

For Health Services

Through adequately resourced systems and services, ensure that people living with dementia and their caregivers can access the support services they need, when they need them. Involve people living with dementia and caregivers in the design, planning, delivery, and evaluation of services. Ensure that health care professionals are aware of and able to connect or refer people to these services.

Quality Indicators

Process Indicators

Percentage of people living with dementia who have access to individualized support services

Denominator: number of people living with dementia
Numerator: number of people in the denominator who have access to individualized support services
Data source: local data collection

Percentage of caregivers of people living with dementia who have access to individualized support services

Denominator: number of caregivers of people living with dementia
Numerator: number of people in the denominator who have access to individualized support services
Data source: local data collection

Percentage of people living with dementia who have received support services that met their needs

Denominator: number of people living with dementia
Numerator: number of people in the denominator who have received support services that met their needs
Data source: local data collection

Percentage of caregivers of people living with dementia who have received support services that met their needs

Denominator: number of caregivers of people living with dementia
Numerator: number of people in the denominator who have received support services that met their needs
Data source: local data collection

Structural Indicator

Local availability of support services for people living with dementia and their caregivers

Definitions Used Within This Quality Statement

Support services

These are a variety of flexible and accessible home care services and community support services are needed to support community-dwelling people living with dementia, as well as their caregivers. Services should be responsive to people’s goals and preferences and tailored to their changing physical, psychological, and social needs. Support services include:

Health professional services, such as nursing, occupational therapy, pharmacy, physiotherapy, social work, speech-language pathology, and dietitian services
Assistance with personal daily care (e.g., grooming, bathing, dressing)
Help to maintain a safe and comfortable home (e.g., cleaning, doing laundry, preparing meals)
Help with minor household repairs and maintenance (e.g., yard work, snow removal)
Help performing errands (e.g., shopping, banking)
Social or recreational opportunities and programs (e.g., adult day programs, support groups, exercise programs, friendly visiting programs)
Respite care—this provides caregivers with temporary relief from their caregiving duties. Examples include adult day programs, in-home respite, overnight care, and short stays in a long-term care home (see Quality Statement 8)
Transportation—help getting to and from medical appointments, adult day programs, social activities, stores, etc. Examples include public transportation, taxis, and assisted or escorted transportation for those unable to take public transportation
End-of-life care (e.g., pain management, medical supplies, hospice services)

People living with dementia and their caregivers should have up-to-date verbal and written information about local services and how to access them.

Evidence to Improve Care