Diagnosing advanced dementia mandate (DiADeM) pilot project: Increasing dementia diagnosis rates among care home residents

Abstract

Estimates show that approximately 70% of care home residents have pre-existing dementia, yet many remain undiagnosed throughout their stay. Given the unique care requirements of people with dementia, a timely diagnosis is hugely beneficial as it enables healthcare professionals to understand the person’s care needs and develop tailored care plans. To address this, a pilot project was conducted in East Berkshire care homes from 2022 to 2023. The initiative employed an abbreviated memory assessment model based on the Diagnosing Advanced Dementia Mandate (DiADeM) tool, targeting residents exhibiting signs of cognitive impairment without a formal dementia diagnosis. Of the 23 residents assessed under DiADeM, 16 were diagnosed with dementia, showcasing promising outcomes for increasing diagnosis rates in the older adult population.