Evaluation of an educational program for people with dementia and their caregivers.

The increasing number of people with dementia and their caregivers living in the community present health challenges. Programs that assist this group to function well in the community are important. Evaluation of this program indicated improved outcomes in relation to adjusting to life with dementia, enhancing knowledge, fostering communication and reducing feelings of isolation. Areas of improvement included lengthening the program with ongoing contact sessions with program facilitators and other participants. Given the positive effects of the program on this vulnerable group of people, it maybe useful for health-care agencies involved in dementia care to conduct this type of program as a matter of routine treatment and care for people newly diagnosed with dementia.