Understanding What is the Triangle of Care for Dementia Patients?

Meaningful involvement of family carers is a high priority for improving care, especially for people with dementia. So, what is the triangle of care for dementia patients? It is a collaborative framework designed to build a therapeutic alliance between the three key parties involved in dementia care.

Quick Summary

The triangle of care is a therapeutic partnership model involving the person with dementia, their family or unpaid carer, and professional staff. This approach promotes safety, wellbeing, and optimal care outcomes by integrating the unique insights and needs of all three parties into a collaborative system.

Key Points

• Three-Way Partnership: The triangle involves the person with dementia, their family/unpaid carer, and professional staff working together for better outcomes.

• Core Goal: It promotes safety, supports communication, and sustains the wellbeing of the person living with dementia by leveraging a collaborative alliance.

• Six Standards: Implementation is guided by six key standards that focus on identifying and supporting carers, training staff, and ensuring open communication.

• Carer's Expertise: It recognizes and utilizes the unique and intimate knowledge that carers have about their loved one, treating them as an expert partner in care.

• Person-Centered: Despite involving multiple parties, the approach remains fundamentally person-centered, ensuring the individual with dementia is involved in decisions for as long as possible.

• Reduces Isolation: The model helps combat feelings of exclusion and isolation frequently experienced by unpaid carers by formally including them in the care process.

• Improves Communication: By establishing clear protocols and promoting 'carer awareness' among staff, it improves information sharing and minimizes communication breakdowns.

The Core Components of the Triangle of Care

At its heart, the Triangle of Care is a person-centered model that recognizes the interconnected relationship between three vital parties in dementia care. This model, an adaptation of a concept from mental health practice, aims to enhance the quality of care and support.

The Person with Dementia

Central to the model, the individual with dementia should be involved in decisions for as long as possible, respecting their autonomy and unique history. Care is tailored to their personal experiences to maintain dignity and wellbeing throughout their dementia journey.

The Family or Unpaid Carer

Often a family member, partner, or friend, the carer provides essential support and possesses invaluable, in-depth knowledge of the person with dementia. Their insights are crucial for personalized care. The model emphasizes that carers also have needs and require support to prevent burnout and isolation.

The Professional Staff

Healthcare professionals provide clinical care and actively engage with both the person with dementia and the carer. This requires specific training in communication and dementia. They facilitate information sharing and view the carer as an equal and expert partner.

The Six Key Standards for an Effective Triangle

Carers Trust and the Royal College of Nursing developed six key standards to guide the implementation of the Triangle of Care:

1. Identification of Carers: Carers and their vital role should be identified early.
2. Staff Training: Staff should be 'carer aware' and trained in engagement strategies.
3. Confidentiality Protocols: Clear policies for information sharing, balancing confidentiality and necessary communication.
4. Dedicated Carer Support Roles: Appointed staff responsible for advocating for carer involvement.
5. Service Introduction for Carers: Providing carers with information about the service and key contacts.
6. Available Carer Support Services: Ensuring access to local organizations, needs assessments, and other support.

Comparison of Care Models

The Triangle of Care offers distinct advantages over traditional care models:

Feature	Traditional Care Model	Triangle of Care Model
Carer Role	Passive, knowledge often underutilized.	Active, valued as an expert partner.
Information Flow	Often restricted, causing frustration.	Transparent, promotes trust.
Decision Making	Primarily professional-led.	Collaborative, includes person with dementia and carer(s).
Carer Support	Often overlooked, leading to burnout.	Proactive and integrated.
Outcomes	Risk of fragmented care.	Improved safety, recovery, and wellbeing through shared knowledge.

Benefits of the Triangle of Care Model

• For the Person with Dementia: Results in more personalized, compassionate care and potentially reduced agitation through carer insights.
• For Carers: Offers recognition, access to information, and support, reducing isolation and increasing resilience.
• For Professionals: Facilitates effective care planning by utilizing carer knowledge and improves working relationships.
• For the Care System: Promotes integrated care, potentially reducing hospital stays and preventing crises. The model also aids in auditing and improving engagement.

Implementing the Triangle in Practice

Successful implementation requires commitment. Professionals should identify carers early and provide them with information. Carers can document preferences and needs. Open communication is vital for all parties to foster a true partnership.

A valuable resource for guidance is the Carers Trust document, The Triangle of Care: Best Practice for Dementia Care.

Conclusion

In summary, what is the triangle of care for dementia patients? It is a crucial framework for collaboration between the person with dementia, family carers, and professionals. Implementing the six standards ensures that the vital contributions of carers are integrated, leading to more compassionate, personalized, and effective care that enhances the quality of life for everyone involved.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who developed the triangle of care for dementia patients?

The Triangle of Care was developed by the Carers Trust and the Royal College of Nursing, adapting an existing mental health model for use in dementia care in England and Wales.

What are the benefits of the triangle of care for the person with dementia?

For the person with dementia, the model leads to more person-centered and dignified care. It improves communication, promotes safety, and can enhance overall wellbeing by incorporating familiar input and preferences from their carer.

How does the triangle of care help family carers?

It provides recognition for the carer's vital role, validates their unique knowledge, and ensures they have access to information and support services. This helps reduce feelings of isolation, stress, and burnout.

What does 'carer aware' mean within the Triangle of Care?

Being 'carer aware' means that professional staff are trained to understand the significant impact of caring. They recognize the valuable contribution carers can make to a person's assessment and care and are equipped with strategies to effectively engage with them.

How does the triangle of care address confidentiality?

The model emphasizes having clear policy and practice protocols for confidentiality. This includes guidelines for sharing information in a three-way process between the person with dementia, carers, and professionals, respecting the provisions of the Mental Capacity Act where applicable.

Is the triangle of care applicable in all care settings?

While it was initially developed for hospital settings, its principles are relevant and adaptable across all care environments, including community care and home treatment situations.

How can families start implementing the triangle of care?

Families can take the initiative by documenting important information about their loved one and clearly communicating their own needs to professional staff. Seeking out resources from organizations like the Carers Trust or NHS can provide guidance and a framework for initiating the partnership.