Effect of Day Care Centers for People with Dementia [Internet]

It is estimated that around 68 000 people with dementia live in Norway in 2010. The incidence is increasing with higher age. At least half the population with dementia in Norway lives at home. One of the main targets in the care of people with dementia is to establish special daycare centers in the community. There is a need to document to what extent the provision of daycare has any effect on admission to nursing homes or hospitals, on function or on other relevant outcomes for people affected by dementia, as well as their caregivers.Objectives The Department of Health commissioned the National Knowledge Center for The Health Care Services to review the available evidence on the effects and costs related to special day care centers for people with dementia.Main findings We included eight studies. There was inconsistency in the results and all conclusions were based on findings from studies with high risk of bias. The research documentation is of low or very low quality for all relevant outcomes. Hence, the results must be interpreted with great caution.It is unclear if the use of special day care centers for people with dementia reduces or postpones admission to nursing homes or hospitals (two studies – low/very low quality).We cannot conclude with any certainty, but special day care might contribute to: reduced incidence of behavior problems (five studies – very low quality) less burden for carers (three studies – very low quality) less use of psychopharmica (one study – very low quality) It does not seem that special day care has an effect on functioning for people with dementia. We cannot answer the question on costs.