Quality of care for people with dementia in residential care settings and the “Vážka” Quality Certification System of the Czech Alzheimer Society

IntroductionPeople with dementia are one of the most vulnerable groups of residents of long-term care institutions. The Czech Alzheimer Society (CALS) aims to improve the situation of people with dementia and their families using various methods, including the improvement of quality of care.ObjectiveTo present the development of the “Vážka” Quality Certification System developed by CALS through first-hand experience.MethodsCALS organised workshops and focus groups to discuss the main issues in dementia care quality, worked to define criteria and their classification, and developed the “Vážka” Certification System. CALS also evaluated these criteria in practice through a pilot evaluation project and established standards that were achievable within the system of dementia care in the Czech Republic. The main characteristics of the process of assessment and certification are: partnership and mutual discussion, evaluation of relational care, respect for the dignity of people with dementia and those who care for them, and the level of collaboration with families.ResultsThirty-two facilities have been successfully certified. Among these feature 25 residential services, 5 day care centres, 1 weekday centre and 1 healthcare department.ConclusionThe criteria within “Vážka” are meaningful and valid. They change slightly with any increasing quality of care but they need not be radically changed or updated. After its first years of experience, it is possible to say that the system is able to confirm good practice in care for people with dementia in actual conditions and distinguish it from care which is not acceptable.