ICF‐based health and social‐needs assessment system for person‐centered dementia care

Background This study explained the development of health and social needs assessment system for patients with dementia based on International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health International Classification (ICF) model to enhance person‐centered dementia community care. ICF is the WHO framework for measuring health and disability at both individual and population levels. Many countries including Korea have been participating in trials for implementation of the ICF in hospitals and community settings. The use of ICF domains as intervention targets for persons with dementia and their family members can be an innovative attempt to facilitate person‐centered community care. Methods Using methodological study design, the following steps were performed. First, the concepts and domains of ICF were compared with existing instruments to measure health and functional status of persons with dementia. Second, the health and social needs assessment tool sets were developed and mapped with the framework of ICF. Third, the expert validated the health and social needs assessment system tool using Delphi method and focus group interview. Fourth, the pilot test was conducted with two community social service centers and two day care centers. Results Six domains of health and social needs assessment were developed and embedded in the assessment tools; Health condition (diagnosis, severity of dementia), body functions and structure (health assessment, health habit, nutrition physical exercise), activity (cognitive function, daily life activities), participation (social activity, emotional function, social relationship), environmental factors (home, community, facility environment, social support) and personal factors (personal history). Conclusion The use of the health and social needs assessment system based ICF framework can help health care and social service professionals to evaluate person centered health and social needs. It facilitates mapping the assessed needs to individualized care plans, and guide the persons with dementia to the best services. Using a larger sample, further studies to verify reliability and validity of the developed assessment system are needed.