A process and outcomes evaluation of the implementation of My Home Life: a program to improve service culture and care practices for people living with dementia

My Home Life is a program that has the potential to activate practice change and improve the culture of care in hospital settings that care for people living with dementia, but to date has not been evaluated in Australia, or in dementia specific settings.
The aims of this research are to:
1) evaluate the implementation and impact of My Home Life in the Repat Neurobehavioural Unit (RNBU)
2) Determine the costs associated with implementing My Home Life in the RNBU
3) Codesign a plan for future sustainable implementation of My Home Life in the RNBU
4) Develop recommendations for implementation of My Home Life into other dementia care settings
The overarching purpose of this research is to generate real-world evidence to promote sustainable compassionate and supportive care for people living with dementia who are receiving care and support across dementia care services in Australia.

Approximately one in four people admitted to hospitals in Australia have dementia. Poor care standards for people living with dementia is common. Whilst positive organisational cultures are associated with positive care experiences and outcomes, there are significant challenges in creating and maintaining positive care cultures in dementia care settings. My Home Life (MHL) is an international initiative (program) that promotes innovation in social and health care to improve the quality of life for people living, dying, visiting and working in aged care homes. The foundational principles of MHL are the importance of relationships, appreciation, and collaboration. To support practice change, MHL has tools that facilitate the development and implementation of strategies that support compassionate, relationship-centred care. The MHL leadership support program facilitates implementation. MHL has been successfully implemented across residential aged care homes in the UK and has been implemented as a core component of the Repat Neurobehavioral Unit (RNBU) model of care. To date, MHL has not been evaluated in the Australian setting or in dementia specific care settings, thus this research aims to 1) evaluate the implementation and impact of MHL in the RNBU 2) determine costs associated with implementation in the RNBU, 3) codesign a plan for sustainable implementation of MHL in the RNBU and 4) develop recommendations for broader implementation into dementia care settings. A mixed methods evaluation will be used to identify the factors for successful implementation, costs and impacts.