A suite of evaluation resources for Dementia Friendly Communities: Development and guidance for use. (November 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Buckner, Stefanie; Lafortune, Louise; Darlington, Nicole; Dickinson, Angela; Killett, Anne; Mathie, Elspeth; Mayrhofer, Andrea; Woodward, Michael; Goodman, Claire
• Is Part Of: Dementia. Volume 21:Number 8(2022)
• Page Start: 2381
• Page End: 2401
• Publication Date: 2022-11
• Subjects: dementia friendly communities -- evaluation -- monitoring -- people affected by dementia -- mixed methods; Psychiatric social work -- Periodicals; Social work with older people -- Periodicals; Dementia -- Periodicals; 362.19683005
• DOI: 10.1177/14713012221106634
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1471-3012

Abstract

Objectives: In the context of a growing number of dementia friendly communities (DFCs) globally, a need remains for robust evaluation, and for tools to capture relevant evidence. This paper reports the development of a suite of evaluation resources for DFCs through a national study in England. Methods: Fieldwork took place in six diverse case study sites across England. A mixed methods design was adopted that entailed documentary analysis, focus groups, interviews, observations, and a survey. Participants were people affected by dementia and practice-based stakeholders. A national stakeholder workshop was held to obtain input beyond the research sites. A workshop at the end of the study served to check the resonance of the findings and emerging outputs with stakeholders from the case study DFCs. Results: The study had three key outputs for the evaluation of DFCs: First, an evaluation framework that highlights thematic areas to be considered in evaluating DFCs. Second, a Theory of Change that presents inputs into a DFC and short, medium and longer term outcomes. Third, a matrix for assessing a DFC's degree of maturity, which enables a sense of the kinds of outcomes a DFC might realistically aspire to. These three outputs form a suite of interlinking and complementary evaluation resources for DFCs. Conclusions: The study has contributed evidence-based resources for monitoring and evaluation that complement existing frameworks. They can be applied to arrive at a detailed assessment of how well a DFC works for people affected by dementia, and at insights into the underlying factors that can guide future policy and practice.