*5.2.3. Dementia education*

that are flexible in delivery; that set (manageable) goals for clients that encourage physical, mental and social stimulation; empower clients and their families to maintain control over their

With the increasing number of home support clients presenting with dementia-related symptoms, there was agreement from home support staff, managers and key stakeholders, that home support staff working with a person living with dementia require specialised training in dementia care. This finding is strongly supported by the research literature, with numerous studies revealing that the quality of care provided to people living with dementia is, in part,

A number of staff and key stakeholders remarked that, in their opinion, DHBs had a responsibility to supply service providers with adequate levels of funding to ensure that home sup-

Alongside the two primary community care services of home support services and community day programmes; Enliven has also developed a number of other community-based initiatives to support older adults within the community, including walking groups, swimming groups, café conversation groups, men's groups, interactions with church volunteer groups. All these community-based services are designed to promote the restorative care principles of maintaining client wellbeing through physical and cognitive stimulation, social connected-

The international research literature supports the remarks of many key stakeholders and staff that a comprehensive range of community-based services supplied to people living with dementia, has the potential to slow dementia symptoms and to prolong the period of time

The research literature is unequivocal in its finding that the length of time that a person living with dementia can remain in their own home is frequently dependent upon the capacity of a key individual, or individuals, to maintain a primary caregiver role, and that the provision of community support services may often be as important for the caregiver and it is for the client [17, 33]. This position was strongly supported by comments from participants in this study. Caregivers remarked that they valued the opportunity to have a period of time out from their loved one; as this gave them, as the primary caregiver, an opportunity to undertake other necessary tasks, maintain relationships with family and friends, and to have a personal break. Caregivers remarked that home support services helped to reduce their levels of stress and to

ness within the community, and support to maintain independence within the home.

predicated upon the level of specialised dementia-care training staff receive [18, 19].

circumstances; and maximise client's abilities and sense of wellbeing.

port staff dementia-care training requirements were met.

**5.2. Integrated Community-Based Dementia Care Services**

these individuals can remain in non-residential care [5, 8, 11, 13].

**5.1. Staff training in dementia care**

*5.2.1. Client needs*

162 Cognitive Disorders

*5.2.2. Caregiver needs*

sustain their role as a caregiver.

Numerous key stakeholders and staff participating in this study discussed the importance dementia education for people living with dementia, and their caregivers/families. This finding is strongly supported by the research literature and also a key component of the national dementia care framework [19, 25].

While Alzheimers NZ are funded to be the primarily New Zealand provider of dementiarelated education, there is opportunity for Enliven to work with Alzheimers NZ to expand this service for Enliven clients and their caregiver/families – with the organisation providing exclusive educational services for Enliven clients.
