Dementia is a term that describes a range of conditions affecting the brain, and is caused when the brain is damaged by diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease. Symptoms of dementia may include difficulties with memory, reasoning, communication skills and the ability to carry out daily activities. Dementia is progressive and there is no known cure, although research continues to take place nationally and internationally.
Our strategy demonstrates the Trusts commitment to continuing to deliver changes that improve the way in which we care for patients with dementia, and ensure that our patients experience patient centred care while being treated in our services. In the Trusts Vision of Excellence (2017-2022) document an objective is to pioneer patient centred care with exceptional clinical outcomes and excellent patient experience.Our ambition is that patients are treated at the right time, in the right place, by the right professional, with the right skills. This will ensure that services are flexible and responsive to individual needs. Our strategy provides a clear direction for delivering high quality, safe, person centred care, ensuring that people with dementia and their carers have the most positive experience possible.
The main aims of this strategy are to:
More than 250,000 people are living with dementia and sight loss in the UK, and most of these people are over 65. Sight loss among people with dementia can be caused by:
If a person has dementia, they may have visual difficulties but still have healthy eyes, as the difficulties are caused by the effect of dementia on the brain. Dementia conditions which may have an impact on vision are: lewy body dementia, posterior cortical atrophy, Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. Sight loss is typically under diagnosed in people with dementia as one condition can mask or be mistaken for another, and a recent study found nearly one-third of people with dementia also had significant sight loss. Eye tests are therefore especially important for people with dementia because the symptoms of dementia can mask the symptoms of sight loss (RNIB).
Dementia is the biggest health and social care problem facing our country today, and the largest health care burden globally. Dementia affects an estimated 850,000 people in the UK and figures are said to be increasing with one in three people aged over 65 years going on to develop the condition. Someone develops dementia every 3 minutes, and 1 in 14 people over the age of 65 will have dementia, and over the age of 80, 1 in 6 will have dementia.
Dementia is not an inevitable part of ageing, and many older people do not develop dementia. However, dementia can affect people under 65 years of age.
Dementia has been identified by the Government as a major priority and challenge (Department ofHealth 2012, 2015). The Prime Minsters Challenge on Dementia 2020 set out more than 50 specific commitments that aim to make England the world-leader in dementia care, research and awareness by 2020. This includes ambitions to:
The National Dementia Strategy 2013 identified the need for Dementia awareness to be improved in all local areas with a vision that all people with Dementia and their carers should be supported to live well.
In January 2016 The Alzheimer’s Society published a report that demonstrated the inequalities in hospital care that people living with dementia experience, and highlighted that:
The Alzheimer’s Society strategy ‘The New Deal on Dementia 2017-2022’ details its mission to transform the landscape of dementia forever. The strategy calls on state and society to unite to establish a future for people with dementia that:
In April 2017 the new Dementia Statements were welcomed and endorsed by the Dementia ProgrammeBoard. They reflect the things people with dementia say are essential to their quality of life and are a call to improve the lives of people with dementia and to recognise that they shouldn’t be treated differently because of their diagnosis. The statements are:
We have the right to be recognised as who we are, to make choices about our lives including taking risks, and to contribute to society. Our diagnosis should not define us, nor should be ashamed of it.
We have the right to continue with day to day and family life, without discrimination or unfair cost, to be accepted and included in our communities and not live in isolation or loneliness.
We have the right to an early and accurate diagnosis, and to receive evidence based appropriate, compassionate and properly funded care and treatment, from trained people who understand us and how dementia affects us. This must meet our needs, wherever we live.
We have the right to be respected, and recognised as partners in care, provided with education, support, services, and training which enables us to plan and make decisions about the future.
We have the right to know about and decide if we want to be involved in research that looks at case, cure and care for dementia and be supported to take part.
The Trusts Quality Strategy 2017 – 2022: Our Journey to Excellence, which follows ‘our vision of excellence 2017 – 2022’, sets out our ambitions to deliver outstanding patient-centred care and excellent patient experience. We will promote patient engagement and consultation, and ensure that patient experience and involvement is characterised by compassion, dignity and respect, and services are developed for and with patients.
During the past three years, we have made good progress in the care of patients with dementia, including:
The Trust recognises that further improvements are needed to deliver excellent patient centred care and to keep up to date with the national and local developments to enable patients to live well with dementia.
In relation to people with dementia, their family and carers, the trust is committed to:
The Executive lead for Dementia is the Director of Nursing. The Safeguarding Adults Lead is the dementia lead throughout the trust, and is also a dementia champion.
This strategy is a living document. Progress will be monitored and reviewed by the Dementia andLearning Disability Working Group which meets quarterly and consists of staff, service users and community partners. The group has recruited a dementia service user and carers to input into the strategy delivery. The terms of reference and membership of this group will be reviewed to ensure the team is able to support delivery of the strategy. The strategy will also be updated with any changes in national policy or local circumstances.
The working group reports to the Safeguarding Adults Committee and any areas for escalation will be reported to this committee and the Clinical Governance Committee, and finally Trust executive Board if required.