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Improving Health and Social Care Services for People with Dementia

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Guest Editor
Institute of Mental Health, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2TU, UK
Interests: health service design, delivery, and use with a specific focus on services and conditions affecting older people, dementia, mental health and wellbeing in later life; phenomenological experiences of mental health, retirement and later life transitions; implementation science; behavioural science perspectives

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Guest Editor
Institute of Mental Health, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
Interests: lived experiences of people with dementia and carers; social health; post-diagnostic support; psychosocial interventions; technology; patient and public involvement (PPI)
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Health and social care services provide information, support, and management for people with dementia throughout the dementia journey. Dementia diagnosis is becoming timelier and more accurate, enabling greater access to an increasing array of ever more specialised services. New developments in treatment, both pharmacological and psychosocial, and technological advancements are enabling people with dementia and those who support them to receive interventions and guidance that may prevent or slow further changes, relieve symptoms, improve wellbeing, and help in adapting to changing conditions. The provision and delivery of these services show variation within and between countries, highlighting risks for inequalities in access to services and innovation, as well as opportunities for knowledge sharing and improvement in best practice. This is necessary in order to continue to design and deliver services that meet the needs, abilities, and preferences of people with dementia and provide person-centred care.

This Special Issue will showcase recent advances in the design, delivery, and use of health and social care services that could lead to wide-ranging improvements in experiences of care access for people with dementia and their caregivers. 

Dr. Jen Yates
Dr. Esther Loseto-Gerritzen
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • dementia
  • social services for people with dementia
  • health services for people with dementia
  • multidisciplinary care
  • integrated care systems
  • research
  • evaluation
  • recommendations
  • implementation
  • post-diagnostic support

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 377 KB  
Article
Sustaining Mana in Mate Wareware Care: Whānau Perspectives
by Kirsten Robertson (Kāi Tahu), Tui Kaitai-Martin (Kāi Tahu), Rob Thomson, Diane Ruwhiu (Ngā Puhi) and Maree Thyne
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2026, 23(9), 1144; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph23091144 - 2 Sep 2026
Viewed by 550
Abstract
Māori experience inequities in the recognition of mate wareware and in access to dementia and aged care support in Aotearoa New Zealand. Less is known about how whānau experience supporting a whānau member with mate wareware, what support they find helpful, and what [...] Read more.
Māori experience inequities in the recognition of mate wareware and in access to dementia and aged care support in Aotearoa New Zealand. Less is known about how whānau experience supporting a whānau member with mate wareware, what support they find helpful, and what they consider important for mate wareware-friendly communities. This kaupapa Māori qualitative study involved a co-design phase with seven kaumātua, which informed the study questions and whānau hui guide, followed by ten in-depth whānau Māori hui involving 12 individual participants; the whānau hui formed the analytic dataset. Whānau hui data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Four interconnected themes were developed: delayed recognition; whānau caregiving as collective strength alongside concentrated responsibility; sustaining wairua, identity, and belonging; and care transitions and structural barriers. Interpreted together, these themes informed a four-condition account of mana-preserving care, in which mana may be sustained or eroded through interactions among recognition and knowledge, whānau caregiving, wairua, identity and belonging, and service and institutional conditions at transitions. Where continuity fragmented, whānau frequently undertook integrative work to bridge gaps across people, places, culture, and services. The findings point to earlier mate wareware information and support through Māori-facilitated and community-based approaches, support that recognises concentrated caregiving responsibility, continuity across services and transitions, and routine practices that embed tikanga, while reducing reliance on whānau to compensate for fragmentation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Improving Health and Social Care Services for People with Dementia)
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11 pages, 1101 KB  
Article
Examining the Impact of LEADTM Training on Confidence and Practice Patterns in Rehabilitation Professionals
by Gedenir Fiorese, Alexa Shinn, Jacklyn Silkes, Katherine S. Judge and Nicole Dawson
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2026, 23(7), 908; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph23070908 - 15 Jul 2026
Viewed by 316
Abstract
Dementia affects approximately 9.6% of Americans aged 65 or older, with these numbers predicted to continue to rise, making it a significant growing public health concern that physical therapists may encounter. Dementia affects a large amount of the PT patient population, yet physical [...] Read more.
Dementia affects approximately 9.6% of Americans aged 65 or older, with these numbers predicted to continue to rise, making it a significant growing public health concern that physical therapists may encounter. Dementia affects a large amount of the PT patient population, yet physical therapists report reduced confidence in treating this population due to the lack of education in academia and reduced exposure to dementia care in clinical practice. This experimental pre-post test study examined the effect of the Leveraging Existing Abilities in Dementia™ training program on confidence in handling various situations and the utilization of communication and treatment strategies discussed in the LEAD™ training program when treating individuals with dementia. Eight rehabilitation providers completed the 12 h LEAD™ training program. Pre-program, post-program, and 3-month surveys were administered to capture confidence in communication, implementation strategies and dementia knowledge. (p = 0.003). At baseline, participants were unfamiliar with 5 of 10 validated dementia care practices, but by 3-month follow-up, 90% reported using these strategies at least weekly. Notable gains included intent to use the K.I.S.S. method (+73%) and spaced retrieval (+29%). Although dementia is highly prevalent, many rehabilitation providers lack confidence in dementia care due to limited training. The LEAD™ program shows potential to bridge this gap, but continued evaluation is needed to assess long-term effects on practice and patient outcomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Improving Health and Social Care Services for People with Dementia)
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