We hope you caught some of the excellent summit coverage delivered by our department colleagues on the day. Now that the declarations and communique have been published, it is time to reflect on what this means for those living with dementia and those who care for them.
Here on the Social Care News blog we're keen to hear your views - especially if you are involved in a person's care, commission or deliver care services. Use the comments function at the bottom of this post to express your hopes and fears.
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6 comments
Comment by Luen Thompson posted on
It is unpaid family carers who provide the bulk of support to people with dementia and we know from recent research that they are just not adequately supported at 10 critical points in their life as a carer.
1.When dementia is diagnosed
2. When the carer takes on an active caring role
3. When the capacity of the person with dementia declines
4. When the carer needs emotional support and/or a break from caring
5. When the person with dementia loses their mobility
6. When the person with dementia has other health problems
7. When the carer has to cope with behaviour problems
8. When the carer’s own circumstances change
9. When the person with dementia becomes incontinent
10. When decision about residential care and end of life care have to be made
We are calling on government, commissioners and health and social care professionals to consider and value the role and contribution of unpaid dementia carers and commit to ensuring that their needs can be met at each stage of their caring journey.
For a full copy of the report go to http://www.carers.org/supporting-carers-people-dementia
Comment by Jac W Peters posted on
My fear is the early onset of Dementia without being even aware of it. That "SENIOR MOMENT" that is brushed off.
Comment by Tom Dunne posted on
I am a service user so I hope you dont mind me leaving a comment. My greatest worry as a person living with dementia is that carers health is being overlooked, neglected if you like I feel that carers unlike me living with dementia they grieve with it an its sucking the life and hope out of them.
If we ensure our carers are well looked after it can only benefit us service users as they are more important to us than medication, so please dont just focus on us service users always think of us as a double act as we are a team.
Tom Dunne @tommytommytee18
Comment by Patricia Foxworthy posted on
I looked after my late husband who had vascular dementia for almost six years, ending in January 1997 and I know it was a round the clock 'job' with little respite. Having said that I would try to do it now if I was in the position because you love the person, but you lose them twice once when they cease to know who you are and again when they die. I feel pleased that at last more is being done, not only for the sufferers but for the carers.
Comment by Lord Michael Bichard posted on
Congratulations to all involved in the G8 Dementia Summit. It has really focused attention on this major issue. But let's not forget that research and guidance on supporting people living with dementia is as crucial as research into the causes and medical treatment of dementia. The harsh reality is that people will still get dementia. And when they do, they and the family, friends and staff who support them, need access to reliable, accessible advice and guidance.
That is why the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) has updated and relaunched our Dementia Gateway, and developed a partnership with the new Salford Institute for Dementia.
SCIe's Dementia Gateway brings together the research about what works, interprets that knowledge into practice advice, and presents guidance in accessible ways including short films, elearning materials and key messages.
And we are delighted to be working with the new Salford Institute for Dementia. We will share the knowledge and resources developed by the new institute through our Dementia Gateway.
Comment by a carer posted on
I am the partner of a victim of an incorrect diagnosis of dementia which was delivered in a unthinking and inhuman way. I would like to see that diagnosis is a though process and based on sound criteria which is standardised rather than an arbertary decision. In other words a sound diagnositc pathway acoss the uk with support.Thankfully I had the clinical trainning to challenge the doctor and make them think again or my husband at well under 60yrs would have been on the wrong pathway and treatment. Not everyone has this knowledge or courage to ask the questions.After 3yrs of tooing and froing it turns out He has a neurological disorder which apparently a neurology student should have recognised.