Changes in Health Risks, Daily Activities and Antipsychotic Use After Humanitude Care for People With Dementia: A Retrospective Study.

Aim: This study examined changes in health risk, daily activities and antipsychotic use after receiving Humanitude care for people with dementia.

Design: Retrospective study design.

Methods: A total of 67 people with dementia were admitted to two municipal nursing hospitals and were receiving Humanitude care. Participants' medical records were collected at 5 time points: February 2023 (6 months before), May 2023 (3 months before), August 2023 (when over 70% of healthcare workers completed Level 1 Humanitude care training), November 2023 (3 months after) and February 2024 (6 months after). The changes were analysed using a generalised estimating equation model.

Results: A statistically significant change in the fall risk group was observed in August 2023, November 2023 and February 2024, with 6%, 11% and 19% increases in the odds of moving to a lower-risk group, respectively, compared to February 2023. In the activities of daily living subscale, gargling showed significant changes in November 2023 and February 2024. This resulted in 62.7% and 58.7% increases in the odds of moving to the high-independence category, respectively. The number of antipsychotic agents used was significantly lower in February 2024 (3.82) compared to that in February 2023 (4.47), May 2023 (4.74) and August 2023 (4.6).

Conclusions: The results demonstrate that Humanitude care significantly contributes to reducing fall risk, improving gargling in activities of daily living and decreasing the number of antipsychotic agents in people with dementia.

Impact: Problem the study addresses: The impact of Humanitude care remains understudied.

Main Findings: Humanitude care helps in not only reducing health risks but also circumventing coercive pharmacological treatments. Impact on research: Humanitude care focuses on the dignity and autonomy of people with dementia.

Reporting Method: This study was conducted following the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology.

Patient Or Public Contribution: No patient or public involvement.