Revolution in dementia care: video feedback as the key to improvement!

Revolution in dementia care: video feedback as the key to improvement!

Around 1.8 million people in Germany live with dementia, with two thirds of these people being cared for at home by relatives. The everyday life of those affected and their relatives is often characterized by challenges, communication problems and emotional conflicts. In this complex environment, the University of Witten/Herdecke (UW/H) has launched an innovative project that includes the participation of those affected in the research process. The project entitled “Participatory focus group-based development of an individualized video feedback intervention program for people with dementia living at home and their caring relatives” (ParDeVI for short) was led by Prof. Dr. Margareta Halek leads the project and aims to identify specific everyday situations in which video feedback can serve as support.

During the fifteen-month project period, people with dementia and their relatives actively participated as co-researchers. This feedback was crucial in developing effective solutions to challenging everyday dynamics, such as when eating or in doctor's consultations. The results of the project show that video feedback is not only used for reflection, but also helps to make unmet needs visible. This is particularly important because such unmet needs often have a negative impact on the quality of life of those affected and their families.

The value of video feedback

The concept of video feedback has proven to be a particularly effective method for promoting person-centered and relationship-oriented care. Loud gesundheitsforschung-bmbf.de Both behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia can be reduced by reflecting on everyday situations relevant to care. The dissociative nature of these symptoms often poses the risk that, in the worst case, those affected will have to be transferred to inpatient facilities.

In the focus groups organized as part of ParDeVI, participants discussed the core objectives of the intervention. This participatory research was part of a broader federal government strategy that was decided on in 2020 with the National Dementia Strategy. The approach involves actively involving people with dementia and their relatives in research work in order to better understand their perspectives and needs. This happens not only through the opportunity for reflection, but also through close cooperation with self-help and patient organizations, which are incorporated into the development of the study design.

Outlook for new studies and presentations

The results of ParDeVI are published jointly by researchers and co-researchers in scientific journals and practice-relevant journals. The official presentation of the project will take place at the “35th Alzheimer Europe Conference” in October 2025 in Bologna. Further steps are also planned: A next project phase is being prepared in order to submit a funding application for a larger effectiveness study. This also takes into account that psychosocial interventions are considered the first choice for improving the quality of life of people with dementia and can reduce the burden on relatives.

ParDeVI's participatory approach could also serve as a model for future efforts in dementia research. By involving those affected and their relatives directly in the design of the research processes, an appropriate strategy can be developed that addresses the needs of both people with dementia and those of their carers. In the long term, this measure could significantly improve the quality of life of those affected and offer new perspectives for caring for and dealing with dementia.