Practice and improvement plans of the tailored dementia case management in local dementia centers: A qualitative study using focus group

Purpose: With the nationwide expansion of local dementia centers (LDCs) after the National Responsibility for Dementia System, the number of tailored dementia case management (TDCM) programs increased significantly, but qualitative improvement in TDCM is still a remaining task. The purpose of this study was to explore the current practice of the TDCM in LDCs and suggest directions for future program improvement. Methods: A focus group interview was conducted with seven hands-on workers who had experience in TDCM at the LDCs. Participants (mean age=40 years old) were nurses, social workers, and occupational therapists with an average of 9.1 years of working experience in TDCM. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Results: The results were summarized into three core themes and fourteen sub-themes. The three core themes were ‘Job Characteristics of TDCM’, ‘Barriers to the effective operation of TDCM’, and ‘Improvement plans for successful TDCM’. Conclusion: To establish the function and role of TDCM within the domestic dementia management system, we propose five areas for improvement: 1) Developing a standardized TDCM manual; 2) Quantitative and qualitative expansion of case manager working capacity; 3) Activating a multidisciplinary team approach; 4) Forming a collaborative network between related organizations and local community councils; 5) Active promotion of TDCM.