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Background There is often a 'care gap' where people are given a clinical diagnosis of dementia but receive no useful support. (Foley, T. et al. 2019) However, the early stages of dementia are a crucial time for supportive interventions such as advice and strategies to cope with impairments and improve wellbeing and signposting through complex healthcare systems to access key supports and services. In February 2018 the National Dementia Office (NDO) commissioned the Dementia Services Information and Development Centre (DSIDC) to develop a guidance document to support health and social care professionals (HSCPs) establish, organise and facilitate evidence-based post-diagnostic pyschoeducatonal interventions in the community. Methods The DSIDC undertook an extensive literature review examining the evidence for multi-component psychoeducational interventions. An experienced group of health and social care professionals provided additional material and expertise resulting in the development of the final guidance document. Members of the Irish Working Group of People with Dementia and the Dementia Carers Campaign Network also reviewed the document. Results The literature review found a growing evidence base for dyadic interventions. These interventions, directed at the person with dementia and their care partner, were diverse in their content, outcomes, the measures they used, their frequency and the professional background of the facilitators. They were flexible and cost-effective and drew on the HSCP's own professional knowledge, service resources and experiences of what works and what doesn't. Conclusion Dyadic interventions (and psychoeducational programmes in particular) have the potential to benefit both people with dementia and their care partners by decreasing depression and anxiety, increasing knowledge and coping skills and helping improve cognitive function. (Moon and Betts Adams, 2012) The practical guidance document developed from this review provides HSCPs with useful advice and information to facilitate the setting up and running of post-diagnostic psychoeducational support programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The Irish National Dementia Strategy (2014) identified timely diagnosis and intervention as a priority area. The National Dementia Office established a Dementia Diagnostic Project to develop a framework for diagnostic services nationally. As part of preparatory work, a national survey explored baseline peri-diagnostic practice in geriatric medicine, neurology and psychiatry of old age services. Methods A survey was developed by the project steering group, piloted, and then distributed to all 86 Geriatricians, 39 Neurologists, and 34 Psychiatrists of Old Age Psychiatrists in Ireland. Two reminder e-mails were sent. Results In total, 56 clinicians responded (response rate 35%). The majority (74%) saw 1-20 people with suspected dementia (PwSD) per month. Most referrals came from General Practitioners or other physicians; but rarely from Health and Social Care Professionals. Most people were referred specifically for their memory complaint, rather than a co-morbidity. Waiting times for urgent review varied between 24 hours and 4 years; neurology services had the longest waiting times. Only 30% saw PwSD in a dedicated clinic; about the same proportion saw PwSD in their own home; or in residential care settings. About half reported assessing people with intellectual disability and suspected dementia, mainly the neurologists. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment was the most commonly used cognitive tool (89%), followed by the Addenbrook's Cognitive Examination (56%). Only 17% commonly used functional brain imaging in diagnosis, mainly neurologists; half of respondents 'never' or 'rarely' used cerebrospinal fluid analysis. Multidisciplinary input was mainly from Occupational Therapists (61%), Psychology/Neuropsychology (52%), and Nursing disciplines (33%). When asked which discipline would most benefit their diagnostic service, neurologists all chose psychology input; geriatricians selected a range of disciplines. Conclusion The significant variability within current services who see PwSD, in terms of multidisciplinary involvement, waiting times, setting, and supporting investigations, supports the need for a national diagnostic framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]