The National Dementia Strategy Ruth EleyBirmingham Department of Health27 January 2010

The National Dementia Strategy First ever national strategy Launched February 2009 Three themes: Raising awareness and understanding Early diagnosis and support Living well with Dementia

What is dementia? A syndrome of illnesses, causing progressive decline in multiple areas of function including: Memory Reasoning Communication skills Ability to carry out daily activities A terminal disorder, people can live with dementia for years after diagnosis

Dementia can also … At any stage of the illness, cause behavioural and psychological symptoms such as: Depression Psychosis Aggression Wandering These cause problems that complicate care and how to provide it

Some facts in UK - Numbers with dementia now in UK - 700,000 Projected increase in people with dementia In 30 years (2036) – doubling to 1.4 million Total cost of dementia in the UK - £17 billion per annum Projected increase in cost of dementia in the UK by 2036 – tripling to £51 billion pa Only 20-40% of people with dementia receive any formal diagnosis Diagnosis is most often: –late in the illness –At a time of crisis –Too late for effective intervention or to prevent harm –Low level of active management –In UK a 30-fold variation between PCTs

The Vision Encourage help seeking and help offering Make early diagnosis and treatment the rule Provide individual care, treatment and peer support as needed Enable people to live well with dementia at all stages of the illness and in whatever setting

Some key principles in the strategy Applies to all ages and at all stages of the illness Promotes multi agency, whole systems approaches Gives strong focus on mainstream services, not just specialist mental health provision Gives clear direction for commissioners as well as providers Provides national and regional implementation support

Barriers to care: public and professional attitudes and understanding

What success looks like for people with dementia and carers Access to a timely diagnosis, given well Easy access to care, support and advice following diagnosis Better support from mainstream services Help based around individual need Choice of support at home, not just in residential care

What does all this mean? Most people with dementia live at home, alone or with their families Very few need or receive support from specialist mental health services Earlier diagnosis will mean people will be able to plan what they want for the future This includes contingency plans for when their illness progresses People with dementia may have mental capacity for a substantial period of their illness

What about the Fire and Rescue Service? Important preventive role in fire safety Smoke alarms and advice about safety in the home People with dementia May not respond to a smoke alarm going off or recognise that it signals danger May do things that are potentially dangerous So we have to think of more creative solutions

Some examples Merseyside FRS – work on fire safety particularly for older people, involving children and younger people in identifying addresses of older relatives and neighbours Wiltshire telecare – smoke alarms connected to call centre and response service as part of wider technological solutions South West – information leaflet for ambulance staff to help them identify people who may be at risk and communicate more effectively

Things to look out for People may have difficulty in: Following instructions Responding to complicated questions Finding things (eg existing smoke alarm, key to the back door) Remembering who has been to visit These are clues that a referral to social service may be advisable

What you can do Talk to strategic partners – social services, PCT, housing Discuss with other emergency services – police, ambulance service Find out what other FRS are doing Consider basic awareness training and information for staff Draw on your own experience and expertise as family members and friends

Contact details