Author(s): Amberyce Ang
Objectives: Based on Scotland’s eight pillar model of support for people with dementia, this paper proposes a model which leverages on community resources to provide integrated support for people with dementia. This paper explores the applicability of an integrated model of community support for people with dementia in the case of Singapore, a nation facing the double jeopardy of increased number of people with dementia and increased proportion of Singaporeans with limited or no family support.
Methods: Data collection for this study was drawn from 20 in-depth interviews, consisting of ten caregivers, six care professionals and four subject-matter experts. In addition, a review of Scotland’s eight pillar of community support for people with dementia was conducted and the applicability of the model in the Singapore context was assessed. Comparative analysis was conducted between the information gathered from the care professionals and the Scotland model. Using the information gathered and analysis done, a ground-up model of integrated community support for people with dementia is proposed.
Results: The proposed model of integrated community support for people with dementia includes medical care but focuses on non-health aspects - care coordination, public education, assistive technology, caregiver support, funding, building and design and leverages on community support.
Conclusion: The proposed model encourages and supports the creation of a dementia inclusive society allows people with dementia to age in place. With integrated community support for people with dementia that is supported by the community, health care cost and caregiver’s burden can also be reduced.
