Empowering Your Journey with Dementia Care: A New Approach to Support Independence

Today, let’s explore a fascinating new study that promises to enhance our daily lives as we navigate the journey of dementia care. The research titled “A new psychosocial goal-setting and manualised support intervention for independence in dementia (NIDUS-Family)” offers us an approach that could make a difference in achieving personalized goals and promoting independence.

The research focuses on the NIDUS-Family study, which is an innovative dementia care intervention. This intervention is designed to empower both care partners and individuals living with dementia by setting personalized goals and providing tailored learning support over a six-month period, followed by bi-monthly check-ins. During check-ins, trainers facilitated and selected relevant training modules based on the participants’ needs. The research aimed to determine whether this approach would be more effective than routine care in supporting the attainment of these goals and maintaining their relevance over a two-year period.

The training modules were not one-size-fits-all. Instead, they were chosen based on each participant’s goals and care needs. Modules focused on practical and psychosocial areas, including understanding dementia-related changes, supporting daily functioning and independence, improving communication, managing challenges in day-to-day activities, planning meaningful routines, and supporting caregivers’ well-being. This flexible, goal-driven structure allowed the specific content and emphasis of sessions to vary across participants, while still being delivered within a consistent, customized framework.

The study was conducted with participants from community settings, involving over 200 caregivers and care recipients. The study’s results show that at both the 18-month and 24-month marks, the family group achieved significantly higher goal attainment compared to the control group. Moreover, the majority of the goals set by the care partners remained relevant throughout the study period.

Implications for Care Partners

This research underscores the significance of structured goal setting, complemented by personalized and ongoing support. Rather than focusing solely on symptoms or deficits, the NIDUS-Family study approach centers on what individuals and families want to achieve in their daily lives, supporting independence where possible and adapting care as needs evolve.

Takeaway for Care Partners

Thoughtful goal setting, paired with tailored learning, can help families maintain focus on what matters most, supporting independence, preserving dignity, and fostering a sense of purpose over time.

Let’s continue to learn, grow, and adapt to provide the best care possible. Stay hopeful, because every step we take to better understand dementia brings us closer to care that supports resilience, rather than allowing the disease to define our loved ones’ lives.

Reference: http://dx.doi.org/10.1192/bjo.2025.10940