Introduction: Cognitive impairment has been found to be a main predictor for institutionalization. Various types of institutional care are available for persons with dementia, but knowledge is sparse about how the institution should be designed and scaled, and if it should be specialised in dementia or mixed with other older people. To explore various types of institutional care for older people with dementia in eight European countries.

Method: Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and UK were included in the study. A template was developed for collecting data among other areas also about various institutional care. Terminology was reviewed by experts and agreed between the countries. The template covers 50 types of care provided in relation to the dementia trajectory, from diagnosis to end of life stage. Questions about various types of institutional care were analysed. Each question covered estimation of availability, utilization and professionals involved.

Results: In the description of the care system, preliminary results showed that residential home or nursing home not specifically organised for persons with dementia was the most common institution through all stages. Institutions more specialised in dementia care was less common and mostly available for those in moderate to end of life stage. The professionals were more educated in dementia in the specialised institutions compared to non specialised institutions.

Conclusion: For people with dementia disease, institutions not specific for those with dementia were common in all eight countries, while institutions more specialised were available for few. 

On the behalf of RightTimePlaceCare consortium. http://www.righttimeplacecare.eu