Exploring Stakeholders’ Experiences Implementing a Navigation Program for People Living with Dementia and their Carers

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L MacNeill(1); S Doucet(1,2); A Luke(1); K Faig(3); P Jarrett(2,3)
(1)University of New Brunswick, Canada; (2)Dalhousie University, Canada; (3)Horizon Health Network, New Brunswick, Canada
Scientific Research
SP - Health Service Research
Dementia
Patient/ Family Involvement

Abstract

Introduction:

Navigating dementia care is challenging, but patient navigation (PN) offers valuable support for this population. The "Navigating Dementia NB / Naviguer la démence NB" program piloted a PN program in New Brunswick, Canada, targeting people living with dementia (PLWD) and their carers. The program aimed to assist participants in navigating health and social care systems, matching their needs with available services.

Methods:

Navigating Dementia NB was co-developed by researchers, patient partners, and clinicians. This pilot program embedded six PNs in primary care clinics/centers across the province between July 2022 and July 2023.  Using a mixed methods approach, participant surveys and interviews were used to explore program benefits and recommendations for improvement. Focus groups were used to explore facilitators and barriers to program development and implementation.

Results:

There were 150 participants (PLWD and carer dyads) enrolled in the PN program who provided informed consent. Interviews were conducted with 36 PLWD and their carers. Focus groups were conducted with nine members of the research team and five patient navigators.  Program benefits included: emotional support from navigators, provision of relevant information, and facilitating connections to appropriate services. Recommendations for improvement included: the need for PLWD and their carers to have access earlier in the patient journey and the need to reassess provincial policies related to home care support. Facilitators for implementing a PN program included: providing appropriate staff training and leveraging established connections within the health and social systems.  Barriers included a compressed timeline and existing systemic issues to service access.

Conclusions:

The findings suggest that embedding PN for PLWD in community based primary care can be done.  The program was beneficial for PWLD and their carers. Future plans involve partnering with government to support the implementation and evaluation of a province-wide scale-up of the PN program for this population.

Presentation