{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: [Stability of home based care arrangements for people with dementia : Development of a consensus definition of stability using expert focus groups].
{Author}: von Kutzleben M;Köhler K;Dreyer J;Holle B;Roes M;
{Journal}: Z Gerontol Geriatr
{Volume}: 50
{Issue}: 3
{Year}: Apr 2017
{Factor}: 1.292
{DOI}: 10.1007/s00391-015-0990-0
{Abstract}: <B>BACKGROUND: </B>The majority of people with dementia in Germany live at home. These informal care arrangements, which are mostly coordinated by informal carers, are the backbone of home-based dementia care. Creating and maintaining stability is an underlying theme in informal care; however, a definition of the complex phenomenon of 'stability' in this context is still lacking.<BR><B>OBJECTIVE: </B>The aim was to develop a working definition of stability of home-based care arrangements for people with dementia, which can be applied in current and future research projects at the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases in Witten (DZNE Witten) and others.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>Ensuing from prior research a preliminary version of the definition was formulated. This definition was discussed in a focus group of scientific experts with expertise in dementia research and care (n = 8). After data analysis using content analysis, the definition was revised during a scientific colloquium (n = 18) and a consensus was finally reached.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>There were four major themes which were considered by the experts as being relevant for the definition of stability: (1) creating and maintaining stability as a continuous adaptation process, (2) a qualitative component of stability, (3) persons with dementia and informal carers as pivotal players and (4) transitions to residential care.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>The working definition introduced in this article reflects the authors' understanding of the phenomenon of stability of home-based care arrangements for people with dementia. In times of increasing need for evidence-based interventions it is necessary to develop elaborated definitions of complex phenomena in order to be able to systematically evaluate the efficacy of interventions on the basis of a common understanding.