Live More evaluation shows impact of earlier support for people with dementia and families

Through Live More, people are matched with an approved Shared Lives carer based on their personality and interests. They then spend regular time together, both in the Shared Lives carer’s home and out in the local community, doing ordinary things that matter to them. 

The evaluation, carried out by Sanah Sheikh and Colligo Labs, found that this relatively small amount of consistent, relationship-based support could make a significant difference. 

People living with dementia experienced: 

• better mood and wellbeing, with families describing people as happier, “more upbeat” and “really smiling” and seeing the return of a familiar “spark” 

• greater confidence, choice and independence 

• opportunities to reconnect with interests, passions and parts of their identity 

• stronger social connections and a sense of belonging 

• support to remain active, present and visible in the places where they live 

The relationship with a Shared Lives carer was central to these outcomes. 

Careful matching, consistency and trust meant that Shared Lives carers often became genuine friends. Families described Shared Lives carers as trusted friends, or like a neighbour, more than a professional, while also valuing the expertise and connections they brought through their role. 

This was particularly important at a time when people might otherwise be reluctant to reach out for help. 

Family carers felt the difference too. Live More offered more than a few hours away from caring responsibilities. Family carers described having genuine psychological respite because they trusted the person supporting their loved one. For some, it also meant their own relationship felt less consumed by practical caring tasks, giving them more space to simply be a partner or family member again. 

One of the strongest wider findings was that Live More helped prevent family carers from reaching crisis. One carer described the support as critical to their ability to keep going: “Without it I would have snapped… total emotional and physical collapse.” 

The evaluation also found that Live More could help people living with dementia remain at home for longer. 

Regular contact also meant Shared Lives carers could notice when something was changing. The evaluation included examples of carers and scheme teams helping people access benefits and health appointments, spotting illness or falls, and recognising changes in mental health or wellbeing. 

That meant problems could be picked up earlier and people helped to get the right support. As one referral partner reflected, without Live More, one person “would have fallen through the cracks”. 

The evaluation also looked at Live More’s wider social and economic impact. It estimated that the programme created £5.96 in social value for every £1 invested. Social value measures the wider benefits created for people, families and society, rather than direct financial savings alone. 

Most of the estimated value came from improved wellbeing for people living with dementia, family carers and Shared Lives carers. 

The evaluation also identified the potential to prevent or defer the need for more costly health and social care support. 

For Jean and John, from Bury, (pictured above) Live More meant John was able to reconnect with things he enjoyed. 

John, who is living with Alzheimer’s, was matched with Joe, a Shared Lives carer who shares his love of making and fixing things. Together they have built planters, repaired a neighbour’s gate, gone bowling and become familiar faces at their local café. 

“It’s changed our lives,” Jean said. “I don’t know that I could manage without it. It’s a lifeline.” 

Netta, also from Bury, lives alone with no close family nearby and had become increasingly isolated before being matched with Shared Lives carer Tricia. 

“Tricia is so compassionate,” Netta said. “I go to certain places on a weekly basis – fresh air, nice views, good company. Anything is possible.” 

After a diagnosis, families can find themselves inundated with information and dementia-specific activities, but still without the practical support they need day-to-day.  

Live More shows what can happen when that support starts earlier – before people become more isolated or families reach crisis – and is built around relationships, ordinary life and what matters to each person. 

Live More was developed through a partnership of Greater Manchester Directors of Adult Social Services, NHS Greater Manchester and Shared Lives Plus, working with Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Dementia United and Shared Lives schemes across Greater Manchester. 

Sarah McClinton, Chief Social Worker for Adults and Co-Chair Frailty and Dementia Modern Service Framework Task and Finish Group, said:

“Too often, families are given a diagnosis and information about dementia, but very little practical support to help them continue living well.

Live More fills the space between diagnosis and crisis. It shows that early action does not need to limited to another clinical intervention or standardised programme. It can begin with something profoundly human: finding the right person, building trust and helping somebody continue doing the things that give their life meaning.

“This is good for people living with dementia, good for their families and potentially good for the health and care system. We now want to build on the evidence so that many more families can benefit.”

Rachel Tanner, Director of Adult Social Services in Bolton and Chair of Greater Manchester Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (GM ADASS), said:

“GM ADASS have been delighted to support the Live More initiative, with all 10 local authorities and partners in the voluntary and community sector, independent care sector and NHS and other partners.  We have worked closely within a short timescale, to develop and test the potential of Shared Lives to support people living with dementia, and their families – early. The evaluation shows what can happen when we reach people early and start with the life they want to lead, rather than waiting until crisis point.

“Behind the figures are people going swimming again, repairing a neighbour’s gate or choosing where they want to go that day. Their husband, wife, son or daughter can take a breath, see a friend or simply stop worrying for a few hours.

“The relationship is the intervention. It is the careful matching, trust and consistent human connection that make the difference.”

Hina Choksy Evans, CEO, Colligo Labs, who led the economic and wellbeing evaluation, said:

“The clearest finding is about timing. Reaching people before crisis, through a relationship rather than a service, is where the value lies.

“On HM Treasury methods we estimate close to £6 of value for every £1 spent. Every part of that value was stress tested and the result held up. Our thanks go to Shared Lives Plus for the opportunity to evaluate Live More independently and with full autonomy. We are also grateful to the schemes and families whose experience made the evidence possible.”

Ewan King, Shared Lives Plus, CEO, said: 

“People with dementia and their families tell us that what matters is staying connected, keeping active and having a life beyond dementia and, for family carers, having time to recharge. 

“Too often, that support isn’t there until crisis. Live More shows that when we act earlier, with trusted and supportive relationships, people can enjoy greater wellbeing for longer and families are better able to cope, with the potential to delay moves into residential care homes.” 

The next step is to build on what we have learned through Live More and explore how this approach could reach more people. Shared Lives Plus will continue working with partners in Greater Manchester and nationally to share the findings, encourage wider learning and make the case for earlier, relationship-based support that helps people with dementia and their families live well for longer. 

Read the Live More evaluation report

Read Jean and John’s story: “It’s a lifeline”: how Live More is supporting Jean and John 

Read Netta and Tricia’s story: “No one should have to do it alone”: how Tricia is changing lives through Live More 

Find out more about Live More with Shared Lives: Live More: growing Shared Lives for people living with dementia and their families