Abstract
Caregivers and persons living with dementia start to consider institutional care when they are under high levels of stress and burnout, usually because of ineffective coordinated care and services. The Dementia Care Directorate has established several Dementia Activity Centres in Malta with the aim of providing person-centred, quality day care services for persons with dementia and at the same time provide crucial respite care for their family carers.
The Directorate believes in a collaborative and partnership approach and that any successful service needs to empower its service users to gain independence and reach their goals. A key recommendation from the Malta's Dementia Strategy is more investment in community care and support such as the Dementia Activity Centres (DACs) investigated in this study.
In 2021, two new dementia activity centres, operated by the DCD, started operating at Mtarfa and Safi after an investment in infrastructure and human resources took place to increase the service provision for families living with dementia in the community. Collaboration was made with the local councils, the local church and businesses to made sure that these centres are integrated within the local communities and analyse the local needs and context. This collaboration enabled the centres to be at the heart of the local community and hence allowed for a variety of activities outside of the centres such as hearing mass at the nearby church and buying groceries from the nearby shops. After four months of operation, the DCD carried out an analysis of how these new centres were being received by the caregivers accessing the service. The study aimed to analyze the caregivers’ perspectives of Mtarfa and Safi dementia centres, to see if the objectives are being successfully met and analyse where there is room for further improvement.
During the period of January to April 2022, caregivers of persons with dementia, benefitting from the service at Mtarfa and Safi Dementia Activity Centres were invited to take part in the study. Data was collected via anonymous online questionnaires to gather feedback about the service being offered. The research obtained data from 39 participants. 21 from Mtarfa DAC and 18 from Safi DAC. A mix of quantitative and qualitative research design was used to collect data, which was analysed in an explanatory sequential design.
The data collected in the study indicates that the Mtarfa and Safi dementia activity centres are being positively received by caregivers of persons with dementia. This was reflected through the quantitative and qualitative analysis of the survey’s questions. The results also identified areas where improvements can be made. Such as improving communication between staff and family caregivers, increasing the service provision days, and considering providing additional services such as providing medical reviews and transport. The study additionally adds value to the notion that DACs can be an integral part of the family’s care pathway when dealing with this progressive condition, through the delivery of quality person-centred care plans which integrate seamlessly with other community services.