Dementia care navigation: A systematic review on different models and their prevalence

Abstract Background Dementia Care Navigators (DCNs) are professionals without clinical training, who provide individualised emotional and practical support to people living with dementia, working alongside clinical services. Navigator services have been implemented widely but the service offered vary without a consistent overview provided. The aim of this narrative systematic review was to describe and compare existing models, and to synthesise evidence regarding their implementation and impacts. Methods The review was registered on PROSPERO [CRD42021292518]. Three electronic databases were searched and included studies reported on a DCN model, defined as a service in which non‐clinically trained workers provide personalised advice and support to people with dementia and/or carers in the community. Two independent reviewers screened abstracts and titles and read through full papers for inclusion. Risk of bias was assessed using the Standard Quality Assessment QualSyst. Results We included 13 papers (six studies). All models were US‐based and only varied by integration and training provided. Studies reported different degrees of impact on service utilisation and on symptoms and mental well‐being of people with dementia and their carers, with too little evidence to draw substantial/meaningful conclusions. One study evidenced greater impacts on people with more advanced dementia compared to earlier stages. Conclusions DCN models have the potential to effectively provide non‐clinical support to people with dementia and carers from the point of diagnosis. Further research from countries other than the USA, focusing on the impact on social care and social support service access and utilisation, and utilising similar stablished outcome measures are required.