The waiting period: Challenges and opportunities to support caregivers and persons with dementia during transitions to long-term care

Transitions to long-term care are significant and often challenging experiences for older adults with dementia and their caregivers, with waiting lists a common occurrence due to an aging population and a limited supply of long-term care beds. To better understand the complexities related to transitions to long-term care and inform clinical practice, a comprehensive project was undertaken and included an integrative literature review and a gap analysis of local practices in the interior of British Columbia. The literature review and gap analysis findings were analyzed and presented thematically through interrelated themes, including key concepts surrounding the phases of a transition, caregiver coping, and professional support. Four key recommendations arose from this project regarding continuity and coordination of care, discharge planning, post-discharge care, and evaluation. The strengths, limitations, and implications of this project are discussed, including next steps to mobilize knowledge related to the recommendations and influence evidence-informed changes in practice.