Championing dementia Dr Kritika Samsi Research Associate Social Care Workforce Research Unit Kings College London

Addressing Equalities in Older People's Social Care, 26th Jan 2012 What is dementia? Short-term memory problems Confusion Changes in mood Communication can be affected

Addressing Equalities in Older People's Social Care, 26th Jan 2012 Mental Capacity Act Aims to protect people with decision- making capacity problems Applies to those with loss of capacity Respects autonomy and choice

Addressing Equalities in Older People's Social Care, 26th Jan 2012 Mental Capacity Act & Dementia Encourages people to plan in advance People can appoint Lasting Power of Attorney Criminalises wilful neglect and ill-treatment

Addressing Equalities in Older People's Social Care, 26th Jan 2012 Money management and people with dementia Dementia can impact severely on ability to manage money Technical financial management tools Sensitivity of topic Carers may face barriers when helping

Addressing Equalities in Older People's Social Care, 26th Jan 2012 Financial abuse and people with dementia May be isolated May be trusting of strangers May feel pressured and unable to seek appropriate help Capacity to recognise danger may be impaired

Addressing Equalities in Older People's Social Care, 26th Jan 2012 Our research during stages of dementia Phase II: After receiving a diagnosis of dementia Phase III: When person finds it difficult to make decisions Phase I: Before memory loss and forgetfulness

Addressing Equalities in Older People's Social Care, 26th Jan 2012 Our research during stages of dementia Phase II: After receiving a diagnosis of dementia

Addressing Equalities in Older People's Social Care, 26th Jan 2012 Alzheimers Society project on financial abuse Focus group with people with dementia Focus group with carers Survey data of Alzheimers Society staff Nursing & social services staff People with dementia Carers Interviews with Safeguarding Adult Coordinators

Addressing Equalities in Older People's Social Care, 26th Jan 2012 What people with dementia face Pressure when out shopping with limited time to count change Financial abuse often goes undetected Problems when reporting abuse Talking about abuse

Addressing Equalities in Older People's Social Care, 26th Jan 2012 What carers said Difficulties dealing with banks Unaware of implications of unintentional fraud Unsolicited salesmen Stranger abuse

Addressing Equalities in Older People's Social Care, 26th Jan 2012 Common obvious signs of potential financial abuse reported by Alzheimers Society staff Change in relationship with money Personal situation External or internal influence

Addressing Equalities in Older People's Social Care, 26th Jan 2012 Direct payments/Personal budgets Potentially risk Anxiety over stranger abuse Abuse within families BUT May be opportunity for safeguards to be put in place Risk empowerment

Addressing Equalities in Older People's Social Care, 26th Jan 2012 Recommendations Need for all to remain risk and abuse aware, while balancing the rights of person with dementia

Addressing Equalities in Older People's Social Care, 26th Jan 2012 Prevent abuse: What people with dementia and carers can do Identify and target abuse early: What practitioners can do Societal obligations: what society-level organisations can do

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