Exploring Authentic Partnerships

The Authentic Partnership approach, the Alzheimer's Disease and Related Planning Framework ADRD Planning Framework, and Appreciative Inquiry (AI) are the key theoretical frameworks guiding culture change within the Partnerships in Dementia Care (PiDC) Alliance research sites. Over three issues of this newsletter we will provide an overview of these approaches and the role they are playing in our project. Last month we explored Appreciative Inquiry, this month we will take a look at authentic partnerships.

What is the Authentic Partnership Approach

  • Based on research conducted at MAREP over the past 10 years, an authentic partnership approach has been developed.

  • This approach actively incorporates and values diverse perspectives and includes all key stakeholder in decision-making, including persons with dementia, their partners in care, and professionals.

  • It harnesses the collective capacity within all partners, promoting empowerment, equality and social change.

  • The Authentic Partnership approach includes three guiding principles and five enablers.

New Discoveries:

The Culture Change Coalitions (CCCs) have found that establishing authentic partnerships is a key component of the AI process, in particular, the Dawning phase. CCCs are working to better understand how this approach enables them to overcome challenges (roadblocks) by turning them into opportunities.

3 Guiding Principles of Authentic Partnerships

Genuine Regard for Self
and Others

 Synergistic Relationships Focus on the Process
  • Value and know each other
  • Honour individual uniqueness/abilities
  • Believe that everyone can learn and grow
  • ·Value interdependence
  • Include diverse stakeholders
  • Hear/include all voices
  • Build on the group’s diversity
  • Promote shared learning
  • Stay flexible and responsive to change
  • Learn from mistakes
  • Embrace creativity
  • Open to new possibilities

5 Enablers of Authentic Partnerships

    1.Connect and Commit

  • Bring together a diverse group of partners

  • Collectively determine goals and expectations

  • Identify strengths and resources 

  • Develop mutually agreed upon guidelines for supporting partnership

    2. Create a Safe Space

  • Create a space that is emotionally and physical comfortable

  • Build trust so members can openly express their views

  • Discuss how to foster strong relationships

  • Be attuned to indicators of discomfort or frustration

  • Provide a familiar environment, free of distractions 

    3. Value Diverse Perspectives

  • Appreciate the contribution of all partners

  • Value different types of engagement

  • Act on partners' insights

  • View differences as opportunities 

    4. Establish and Maintain Open Communication

  • Provide a range of ways for communicating

  • Provide time for people to process information

  • Use accessible language

  • Keep all partners ‘in the loop’

  • Clarify meanings 

    5. Conduct Regular Reflection and Dialogue

  • Provide opportunities for self and group reflections and dialogue

  • Regularly ask:

  1. How is the approach contributing towards building authentic partnerships and incorporating all voices?

  2. What is working well?

  3. How can we strengthen the partnership?

“[This approach] values me as a person and the contributions that I can make to dementia care, to my own care. This approach stops the exclusion of persons with dementia by actively including us and our family members in our own care and in the process of developing our care plans”

-Murray Alzheimer Research and Education Program (MAREP) partner with dementia