Care Priorities and Preferences of People Living with Dementia During Emergency Department Visits
Author Information
Author(s): Benson Clark, Merss Kristin, Vergenz Laura, Dillon Kayla, Block Laura, Gilmore-Bykovskyi Andrea
Primary Institution: University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health - Madison, WI
Hypothesis
What are the priorities of people living with dementia and their caregivers during emergency department visits?
Conclusion
People living with dementia and their caregivers value being informed during emergency department visits and have specific preferences that shape their care experience.
Supporting Evidence
- Over half of the 6 million persons living with dementia in the United States visit an Emergency Department annually.
- Dementia is often under-recognized in the ED, leading to significant adverse outcomes.
- PLWD and caregivers evaluated the ED experience positively.
- Participants highlighted the importance of being informed at every step during ED visits.
Takeaway
When people with dementia go to the emergency room, they and their caregivers want to be kept informed about what is happening.
Methodology
Descriptive qualitative study with semi-structured interviews conducted with patients living with dementia and their caregivers.
Limitations
The study may not capture the experiences of all individuals living with dementia as it was conducted in a single academic emergency department.
Participant Demographics
Participants included 10 people living with dementia and 15 caregivers, with 4 dyads.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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