SoCA - Development and validation of a screening-instrument (SoCA-Index)

Empirical studies commonly assess the informal carers’ self-perception of the stability of their home-based care arrangement. Thereby a couple of methodological approaches are used: Informal carers are either asked to indicate their perseverance time, to describe their basic desire to institutionalise some day in the trajectory of dementia care or to directly rate the stability of their care arrangement. The available screening instruments do not mirror our complex understanding of the phenomenon of stability. Therefore, we initially developed the Stability of Care Arrangement Index (SoCA-Index). Within this 1-item-screening, informal carers evaluate the stability of their care situation while comparing it with two given case vignettes (Likert scale). The SoCA-Index is available in German and English language. Currently, it used in the empirical studies of the project line and will be validated and, if necessary, adjusted. The development of a more comprehensive assessment to measure the stability of home care arrangements is planned.