A support programme for patients with dementia and their caregivers lowered institutionalisation rates initially.

Patients 100 patients who were > 65 years of age (mean age 79 y, 53% women), entitled to payments from the Social Insurance Institution for community care because they had dementia, and lived at home with primary support from an informal caregiver (mean age 64 y, 69% women). Exclusion criteria were other severe diseases that might lead to institutionalisation or inability of patients and caregivers to participate in annual training courses. Follow up was 100%.