Self-evaluation tool for reducing stress and distress for people living with dementia
A Quality Improvement Framework
This tool sets out what is expected from high-quality, person-centred care to enable good outcomes for people living with dementia and their carers. It enables staff, managers and leaders in hospital and care home services to identify areas of good practice and areas for improvement. This includes specialist dementia units, acute and community hospitals, and care homes given the high numbers of people living with dementia in these settings at any one time. It summarises what we know about how person-centred approaches can prevent and support stress and distress for people living with dementia.
The self-evaluation tool can be used by teams to self-assess their service against a set of quality criteria and to identify priority areas for improvement. This can be completed as a service development activity and should involve all key professions involved in the delivery of care including nurses, allied health professionals, care home support staff, managers and doctors. It is recommended to involve people with dementia and carers in the self-evaluation process.
The tool has been prototyped by a small number of teams. It is being used to support delivery of our improvement programme. It will continue to be reviewed and updated based on feedback.
The guidance document includes instruction on how to complete the tool. Each of the 6 quality criteria have been broken down into sub-criteria. For each sub-criteria teams should provide:
- Scoring of current practice
- Supporting evidence
- Initial improvement ideas
Suggested evidence for each sub criteria have been included in the guidance. This can be used to complete the evidence column. The final section of the tool is an improvement plan. The plan will identify the top three priorities a service wants to improve.
The tool can either be printed or completed using a computer or tablet. For teams completing the tool using a computer or tablet, an editable PDF has been created to improve useability.
- Reducing stress and distress self-evaluation tool: print version
- Reducing stress and distress self-evaluation tool: editable version
Change package
The reducing stress and distress change package is designed to support improvements through the implementation of person-centred approaches. The change package is a working document, which is still undergoing testing as part of the reducing stress and distress improvement programme. It includes a driver diagram, change ideas, measures, and links to supporting evidence and resources. It is recommended that the self-evaluation tool is completed before using the change package.
Email us at his.focusondementia@nhs.scot if you have a question about the reducing stress and distress improvement programme or would like to speak to a member of the team.