DOI: 10.3928/19404921-20260612-01 ISSN: 1940-4921

The Influence of Nurse Practitioner Roles in Home-Based Care Models on Patient, Caregiver, and Health System Outcomes for People With Advancing Dementia: A Scoping Review

Emily Norcliffe, Nirusha Jebanesan, Margaret Saari, Shirin Vellani, Lisa Cranley, Martine Puts

Purpose:

Many people living with dementia (PLWD) with advancing disease are unable to access office-based care for primary and dementia care. Nurse practitioners (NPs) could fill this gap. The objective of the current review was to determine patient, caregiver, and health care system outcomes of home-based dementia care models that use NPs.

Method:

A scoping review was completed using the Arksey and O'Malley Framework. Two independent reviewers completed title/abstract and full-text screening. Data were extracted using Microsoft Excel. A thematic synthesis was completed to summarize findings.

Results:

The search yielded 4,410 citations; 17 articles met inclusion criteria, reporting on 10 models. Outcomes included high-quality care, decreased emergency department use, decreased acute care length of stay, delayed facility-based long-term care placement, and high rates of advanced care planning and transition to palliative care.

Conclusion:

Home-based dementia care models that use NPs for longitudinal care have the potential to support aging in place.

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