The evaluation of the SPAN+ empowerment intervention for people living with dementia in the community

Design = cluster randomized controlled trial

For experiencing wellbeing, it is imperative that people living with dementia feel empowered to remain active and involved in society. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of an empowerment intervention (SPAN+ program) for people living with dementia living in the community, compared to care as usual.

People receiving dementia case management feel more empowered after using the SPAN+ empowerment intervention, compared to people receiving care as usual.

Before start (T0) and after six months (T1)

The SPAN+ empowerment intervention makes use of a set of conversation cards. The SPAN+ conversation cards encourage the person with dementia and their carer to get into conversation about the four themes of empowerment: (1) having a sense of personal identity, (2) having a sense of choice and control, (3) having a sense of feeling useful and needed, and (4) retaining a sense of worth. Objectives are formulated for each of the four themes. A healthcare professional provides support by the use of the intervention.