Effects of An ACP Programme for Older People With Early Dementia

Each dyad of participants will receive a 4-session ACP programme, which consists of 2 group-based sessions and 2 dyadic sessions, one hour for each session. The group-based sessions are led by nurse which include didactic educational components, guided reflection, videos, and group sharing. Dyads of participants will be provided with information about ACP, the trajectory of dementia, their future healthcare needs and caring options. Their values and care preferences on future care will be elicited in a consistent manner. The dyadic sessions are facilitated by trained ACP facilitators and guided by an ACP booklet. Dyads of participants will be supported to have an individualized ACP discussion guided by an ACP booklet. By the end of the programme, each dyad of participants will be given an ACP booklet documenting the ACP process.

Dyads of participants in the control group will receive 4-session health talks. One hour for each session, and once weekly. The contents of the health talks are neither dementia-specific nor related to ACP, and cover general health information for elderly, such as drug safety, home safety, exercise and health, and healthy diet.