Care for older adults living with dementia in the emergency department: a systematic review and meta-synthesis of care partner roles and perspectives.

Objective: Care partners play a vital role in supporting persons living with dementia (PLWD) in using medical services. We conducted a meta-synthesis to explore care partner perspectives of ED care for PLWD, as well as healthcare provider (HCP) perceptions of care partner roles within the ED, to identify care gaps and facilitators across the ED continuum.

Methods: MEDLINE, PsycINFO and Embase databases were searched from inception to 8 May 2023. Grey literature was also searched. Articles were included if they reported on care partner roles or experiences regarding care delivery for PLWD in the ED, either from the perspective of care partners or HCPs. A charting exercise was used to categorise the primary focus and outcomes of the articles selected for inclusion. A second charting exercise was used to derive overarching themes based on care partner roles in ED care for PLWD, and care partner perspectives surrounding barriers and facilitators to care.

Results: 16 articles were included. Important barriers and facilitators to care for PLWD were identified and organised according to the timepoint of the visit (pre-ED, during a visit and post-ED). Key care gaps and barriers to care included: gaps in primary care access and care planning, ED environment and organisational processes, deficits in communication regarding patient care, lack of care partner involvement in clinical decisions, and difficulties with discharge transitions and follow-up care. Key facilitators to care included: clinical information provided by care partners, care coordination, and care partner support and engagement.

Conclusion: These findings can aid in developing dementia-friendly EDs by informing policy and practices, as well as environmental modifications. Future studies should focus on the feasibility and effectiveness of interventions targeted towards EDs and primary care settings. Engagement of care partners in these intervention studies will be critical to their success.