Dementia

The Facts

• Dementia currently affects over 750,000 people in the UK Over 18,000 people with dementia are aged under 65 years
• Dementia affects one person in 20 aged over 65 years and one person in five over 80 years of age.
• It is estimated that by 2010 there will be about 840,000 people with dementia in the UK
• By 2050 the number of people with dementia in the UK is expected to rise to over 1.5 million
• Dementia is most prevalent in older people, particularly those aged over 80.
• It affects one person in five within this age group
• There are at least 14,000 people with dementia amongst ethnic minorities. However, many services for people with dementia remain inappropriate and inaccessible

What is it?

Dementia is a term used to describe various different brain disorders that have in common a loss of brain function that is usually progressive and eventually severe. In most cases this can lead to the long–term need for care. There are over 100 different types of dementia. The most common are Alzheimer′s disease and vascular dementia.

Medico Home Care′s Objective

To plan and deliver home care services in a manner that will make a positive difference to the experience of individuals with dementia and their carers.

How can we help?

All dementia services should be culturally sensitive. The needs of all people with dementia need to be met and person-centred care delivered. This requires dialogue with people with dementia and their existing carers. There are three key principles that need to remembered when delivering care to those people suffering from dementia;

• Individualised care – every person has a unique personality, skills and abilities, etc. Care services for people with dementia must be provided in a way that recognises this, builds on individual strengths and abilities and maintains the persons independence. Services must avoid seeing people with dementia simply in terms of the powers they have lost.
• Dignity and respect – people whose mental powers are failing need to be treated, as we ourselves would like to be treated. Care services need to be provided in a way that pre serves dignity and treats each person with respect.
• Understanding and supporting ‘informal’ carers – A quality service for a person with dementia can provide support and respite from the stressful role of caring. Services should take into account the important role played by informal carers and should use their expertise and experience to improve the care offered.

– We are only a phone call away. Use our Branch Finder to find out your nearest Medico office.

Further Information:

www.alzheimers.org.uk – The Alzheimer´s Society