Health Service Executive – Genio Dementia Programme
National Dementia Strategy: Department of Health
Older People Remaining at Home (OPRAH): Age Friendly Ireland
The biggest tranche of Atlantic’s investment has been dedicated to transforming services for people with dementia in Ireland. Keeping people living in their own homes was central to this investment strategy which relied heavily on innovation in service delivery, in particular support for person-centred care delivered in the home of the person with dementia.A key investment in this area has been the Health Service Executive- Genio Dementia Programme, a set of personalized care interventions operating initially across four different sites. This initiative, which continues to impress in its ability to deliver, involved the re-orientation of care and services for people with dementia away from a primary medical, institutional model towards personalized, community-based services and supports for people living at home. The project has also worked successfully to match the interests of dementia care workers with those of the people with dementia under their care.A major element of the National Dementia Strategy is the roll out of intensive homecare packages (IHCPs) for people with dementia. This has been delivered through partnership between Genio and the Health Service Executive supported by an investment of €9.3 million from Atlantic. It is expected that up to 500 people with dementia and their families will receive additional resources through IHCPs.
In addition, over 130 participants took part in the Older People Remaining at Home (OPRAH) programme served by a specially trained OPRAH co-ordinator in three urban sites and one rural site. OPRAH is a research programme established to support frail and older people wishing to remain in their own homes.
Service Transformation in Action
From isolation to socialisation
Paddy, 78, was spending all day at home alone, in an isolated rural area. His closest neighbour was one mile away and the nearest village was four miles away. Paddy was assessed by an OPRAH coordinator and identified as being at a high risk of falls, as well as having considerable cognitive issues. He was able to wash and dress himself but needed help with showering and said that he felt very lonely and isolated since having to give up driving for cognitive reasons. Based on the assessment, an individualised care plan was drawn up. Paddy was referred to occupational therapy and physiotherapy to address his mobility issues and was given a new prosthesis which reduced his number of falls. A home environment safety assessment was also carried out and an increase in home help hours was sanctioned. A Cadex medication reminder watch, pendant alarm and an in-house alarm system to alert his daughter if needed during the night were also supplied. Paddy also now attends a local day care service two days a week. This has made a very significant difference to his life and, according to his daughter and staff from the unit:
‘’He has blossomed and is now bringing in quizzes and newspapers for others that attend to do. He also benefits hugely from the twice weekly physiotherapy that he is now receiving.’’
Paddy ‘’looks forward to it (going to the day centre) and loves meeting the other people there.’’ The difference it has made to his quality of life ‘’has been huge.’’
Eamon O’Shea, Director, CESRD
The Five Pillars
