Wegbereiter sein: Die Rolle der Landesfachstellen Demenz in der regionalen und lokalen Vernetzung bei Demenz – eine qualitative Studie

Abstract

Background

Promoting networking among all local stakeholders in order to enable people with dementia to participate in society is one of the objectives of the National Dementia Strategy (NDS). Dementia Competence Centers are tasked with promoting this networking. Only isolated scientific findings have so far been available to assist in the implementation of this task. The aim of the study is to gain insight into the role of Dementia Competence Centers in regional and local dementia networking.

Methodology

In expert interviews, representatives of the Dementia Competence Centers were systematically questioned for the first time about their networking activities, and the data were evaluated using reflective thematic analysis.

Results

Based on a total of 21 interviews, the role of Dementia Competence Centers as pioneers for regional and local dementia networking was identified. As pioneers, Dementia Competence Centers identify opportunities for networking activities, remove obstacles to sustainable dementia networks and create links to further develop dementia-specific networking concepts.

Discussion

In their role as pioneers, it is the task of Dementia Competence Centers to strengthen the independence and sustainability of dementia networks. In addition, the Dementia Competence Centers connect the various political and care-related levels in order to further develop networking in the field of dementia with a view to promoting social inclusion for people with dementia. The scientific findings from Germany’s various federal states can be used via the joint working group of the Dementia Competence Centers to systematically promote networking expertise in both the Dementia Competence Centers and the regional and local dementia networks.