Project Details

The DeWeGE study evaluates service and care structures, care processes and the health and psychosocial situation of residents of outpatient assisted living communities for people in need of care and compares these with results from specialised residential areas for people with dementia (SWB). In a cross-sectional survey, information was collected on the residents (e.g. daily living skills, neuropsychiatric symptoms, etc.), on the structural and staffing features of the flat-sharing community and on the involvement of relatives and volunteers in the provision of care. In a supplementary longitudinal survey, dementia sufferers newly moving into shared flats or shared accommodation were observed over a period of one year (before moving in and six and 12 months after moving in). The primary target criteria were physical functioning (Barthel Index) and non-cognitive symptoms of dementia (NPI); quality of life, challenging behaviour, diet, measures restricting freedom, medication, social contacts, etc. were also examined.

The cross-sectional study included 572 WG and 391 SWB residents (75% women, average age 80 in WG and 83 in SWB).

Almost 80 % of all people living in shared flats and around 92 % of those living in sheltered housing are suffering from dementia.The prevalence of behavioural problems is higher among residents of shared flats than among those living in shared flats.Relatives or volunteers are actively involved at least once a week in less than one in three of the shared flats analysed. GP care is reasonably frequent, while the frequency of contact with medical specialists is significantly lower. Approximately 79% of the people in the flat-sharing communities and 84% of the people in the SWBs take part in community activities. In the longitudinal section, 56 people were recruited for the first survey period (77% women, average age 81.5 years, mean MMSE 13.3 points). More than three quarters of the participants are affected by severe dementia (GDS ≥ 6).SWB residents are more severely affected by dementia and have a lower Barthel Index on average.Both cognitive and functional abilities (MMSE and Barthel Index) decrease significantly over the course of a year for residents in both types of accommodation. Psychosocial behavioural problems decreased significantly over the study period.Shared flat residents have a better psychosocial condition after twelve months than SWB residents. Physically aggressive behaviour is more common in shared flats, but aggressive behaviour increases over time in shared flats. In the shared flats, an increase in the quality of life of the residents is observed over time in almost all observed dimensions.

Overall, the results indicate the considerable importance of outpatient assisted living communities in the care landscape for people with dementia. Greater integration of flat-sharing communities into the general healthcare network appears necessary. The longitudinal results show that the residents of shared flats and flat-sharing communities differ in terms of their psychopathological development and their ability to cope with everyday life.