This in from Fern from the Alzheimer’s Society. In her own words.
A new booklet to help guide people with dementia and their carers through their journey with the condition is being launched today (29 July 2013) by Alzheimer’s Society. The guide is the first of its kind to provide comprehensive information about dementia all in one place.
It is hoped that it will encourage people living with undiagnosed dementia to seek help. The new guide offers advice to help people come to terms with their diagnosis and plan ahead and enable them to live well with the condition.
Supporting patients after diagnosis
The guide is published a year on from the ‘Unlocking diagnosis’ report from the All Party Parliamentary Group on dementia, which found that many people said ‘nothing’ happened after a diagnosis showing that more immediate support and information was needed. The guide has been developed to give GPs the opportunity to provide people with dementia and carers with know-how and guidance at the point of diagnosis.
Angie Newing, Alzheimer’s Society West Region Operations Director, said:
“When people are diagnosed with dementia, they are often unsure what to do and where to turn. For the first time, this guide brings together the key information that people need. We are hoping that it will encourage more people in the South East who are living with undiagnosed dementia to seek help.”
Campaigning to raise awareness of services
Whilst diagnosis rates are increasing, some GPs are still reluctant to diagnose the condition and the guide is being introduced at a time where around half of people living with dementia in the South East still do not have a formal diagnosis, and are not able to access treatments and support.
Alzheimer’s Society is campaigning to raise awareness of the variations in services offered to people around the country and calling for improved diagnosis rates.
The Clinical Commissioning Groups in the South East have recently set ambitions for increasing dementia diagnosis rates, which are available at www.dementiaprevalencecalculator.org.uk.
The dementia guide
The dementia guide, which has been produced by Alzheimer’s Society and part-funded by The Department of Health, is designed for frontline healthcare professionals to offer to people recently diagnosed with dementia.
It includes sections focusing on the emotional impact of a diagnosis; drug treatments that are available; signposting to services that are available through the NHS; social services, charities and private organisations; and support for carers.
The guide, endorsed by the Royal College of Psychiatrists, the Royal College of General Practitioners and the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services, will be available free-of-charge.
To order the guide visit alzheimers.org.uk/dementiaguide or phone 0300 303 5933.
Five top tips
Alzheimer’s Society has produced five top tips to guide people who have recently been diagnosed with dementia and their carers through the next stage of living with the condition:
- Don’t be afraid to talk about a diagnosis – Reaching out to family, friends, and support organisations can enable you to get emotional and practical support
- Knowledge is power – Finding out more about dementia and the way it affects people will give you the know-how to plan for the future
- Are you getting what you’re entitled to? – A diagnosis of dementia can give you access to financial support for benefits such as carers allowance
- Understand your treatment options – Talk to your GP about medical treatments that could help slow progression of the condition
- You are not alone – Contact Alzheimer’s Society to find your nearest support services in the South East.
