SEBDem- Intersectoral Deployment of Familiar Caregivers for Dementia Patients

For individuals with dementia, hospital stays are a serious crisis event that needs to be taken seriously. The SEBDem project (Cross-Sectoral Deployment of Familiar Caregivers for People with Dementia) aims to support these individuals during a hospital stay by continuing the familiar care provided by home-based care services. Such cross-sectoral assistance is currently not possible under the existing legal framework, where nursing care and health insurance are strictly separated. However, it can now be tested in the Saarland model region with funds from the Innovation Fund.

Under the leadership of the Association of Catholic Hospitals in Saarland, the SEBDem project involves collaboration with the iso-Institute, the Saarland Nursing Society, AOK Saarland/Rheinland-Pfalz, and IKK-Südwest. Additional support comes from numerous cooperation partners such as the German Alzheimer Society, the Saarland Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Women, and Family, as well as the Saarland Hospital Association and the Medical Chamber of Saarland. The concept is implemented throughout Saarland, meaning that all hospitals and ambulatory care and support services can participate. To assess whether the concept is suitable for standard care throughout Germany, the iso-Institute is conducting an evaluation. The focus of the impact analysis is on the development of patient safety and the evolution of costs in health and nursing insurance. The central consideration is whether burdensome complications such as falls or delirium can be avoided, enabling people to return to their home environment more quickly. Additionally, a structural and process analysis aims to provide information on how the new care model can be optimized for possible implementation after the end of the project.