UplandCare – Need-driven care networks for people living with dementia in rural areas

Background

The health network PORT Willingen Diemelsee e. V. is conducting a model project funded under §45c SGB XI. This model project aims to optimally support home-dwelling, care-dependent people with and without dementia and their relatives in rural areas and to stabilize their home care arrangements. The project includes networking existing support services, providing individualized and continuous advice and support through case management, and raising awareness about dementia within the community.

Project Aims

The Care Structures Research Group at the DZNE site in Witten is responsible for the scientific evaluation of this model project. The evaluation focuses primarily on process evaluation, aiming to describe the UplandCare model project in the context of municipal and rural care structures in detail and to understand and represent adjustments made during the project. Additionally, the evaluation seeks to identify facilitating and inhibiting factors for the implementation of the model project to ensure its transferability.

Approach/Methods

In the first project phase (2021 to 2022), the goals and process of the model project were visualized in a logical model in collaboration with the health network PORT Willingen Diemelsee e. V. Subsequently, the DZNE developed an evaluation design based on this model.

In the second project phase (2022 to 2024), data collection and analysis take place. A variety of methods are combined, including qualitative interviews with the target group and experts, process data analysis, and quantitative data collection.

In the third project phase (2025), the final analysis and reporting will be conducted.

Expected Results

The results of the process evaluation will identify the core components of the model project and highlight the facilitating and inhibiting factors for its implementation. This process evaluation will lay the foundation for investigating the effectiveness of the model project in potential subsequent scientific studies and provide the basis for transferring the model project to other regions.

Publications

Dreyer, Jan, Viktoria Biedermann, Katharina Kappelhoff und Bernhard Holle. 2022. „Sensibilisieren, Ressourcen stärken, individuell unterstützen und Akteure vernetzen: Ein Gesundheitsnetzwerk gestaltet die Demenzversorgung im ländlichen Raum.“ Gerontologie und Geriatrie Kongress 2022, Frankfurt am Main. DOI: 10.1007/s00391-022-02095-7