Livewell with dementia? An evaluation of a pilot post-diagnostic psychoeducation group for people diagnosed with dementia

Background: This pilot study reports the evaluation of 30 post-diagnostic, five-week structured psychoeducational intervention groups for people recently diagnosed with dementia, facilitated across Livewell CIC, Plymouth, UK. Method: Two-hundred-and-thirteen individuals were recruited using a convenience sampling methodology. A total of 167 participants (Females N=86, 51.50%, mean age 78.72, ± 8.70; Males N=81, 48.50%, mean age 78.20, ±8.21, overall mean age = 78.47, ±8.45) attended at least one session. Eighty participants completed the programme over a 12-month period. Results: Pre- and post-baseline questionnaires were analysed descriptively. Weekly sessions were analysed using an exploratory qualitative descriptive research design. Post-group evaluation revealed that the group improved participants’ understanding of dementia and provided a safe space to discuss the impact of a dementia diagnosis. Conclusion: This pilot study provides evidence of the value of post-diagnostic group therapy in offering a safe space for people with dementia to discuss the impact of their diagnosis.