1. Marco Blom Alzheimer Nederland Toronto, March 27 2011
The crucial role of case management in the development of client-centered dementia care in the Netherlands
Marco Blom Alzheimer Nederland Toronto, March

2. Conflict of Interest Disclosure
Marco Blom MSc Has no real or apparent conflicts of interest to report.

3. Overview Definition and characteristics
Advocacy campaign for case management
National Dementia Programme (2004 – 2008)
Guideline for Dementia Care (2008 – 2012)
Future developments

4. Definition / Characteristics
People with dementia and family caregivers are supported as early as possible in the disease process until admission to a nursing home or death of the person with dementia.
The case manager is part of a multidisciplinary team (including geriatricians and psychologists). On average the case manager takes care of 50 to 70 clients.
The services offered are psycho-education, co-ordination of care services, intervention at time of a crisis, individual counseling, family meetings and online-help.

5. National Dementia Programme
Needs of people with dementia and caregivers
National survey (2006, 2008): >2000 interviews
Family caregivers with ‘burn out’ (20%) or at risk (65%) even in the first stages of dementia. Urgent need for information and support.
Plea for a professional ‘coach’ with expertise who guides patients and caregivers during the whole course of the disease.
In 51 regions (out of 57) care providers initiated projects on case management.

6. Guideline for Dementia Care
Together with national bodies of health insurance companies and care providers (home care and residential homes) we set up a guideline.
Regional insurance companies and health authorities use this guideline since 2009 to contract services and facilities in order to establish a chain of care.
In 2010 in 2/3 of the Netherlands case management is contracted. About 25% of all people with dementia and their caregivers have access to case management.

7. Future developments
The Ministry of Health & Welfare promised case management will be available throughout the country by 2012.
Research on the effectiveness of case management by Nivel and Trimbos-institute. Results will be available at the end of this year.
Successful implementation of case management is necessary for reasons of quality of life. In the long run it can and will be a countervailing power to the rising costs for institutional care and the emerging staff shortage.

8. In collaboration with ….
Julie Meerveld Jan Vuister
Jose Peeters & Anneke Francke Anne Margriet Pot

9. More information:
Verkade PJ, van Meijel B, Brink C, van Os-Medendorp H, Koekkoek B, Francke AL. Delphi-research exploring essential components and preconditions for case management in people with dementia. BMC Geriatr Aug 9;10:54