Do not undermine the bedrock of dementia support
We must not allow short-sighted budget cuts to undermine priorities of the Dementia Strategy Henry Simmons - Chief Executive, Alzheimer Scotland
On behalf of everyone at Alzheimer Scotland, I would like to thank MSPs from across the political spectrum for the very high level of support that has been demonstrated over the past 12 months for people with dementia and their families. We are particularly appreciative of the sign-up to the Charter of Rights for People with Dementia and their Carers, which has had a profound influence on the development of the Dementia Strategy. The Scottish Government’s commitment to the principles and values in the charter means that this document provides the basis for the development of standards for the quality of dementia care. We are also fully supportive of the key priorities set out in the Dementia Strategy and the two designated for the highest priority for action; post-diagnostic support services and improved general hospital care.
However, we have grave concerns about the proposed public spending cuts. In order to avoid a catastrophic failure in our support systems for people with dementia and their families, we must ensure that any such cuts do not detract from the priorities of the Dementia Strategy. The emphasis on early and timely diagnosis and support forms the bedrock of our future ability to cope and must not be destabilised by short-sighted budget cuts.
This may seem like a difficult task when the Scottish Government, like local authorities, is under considerable financial pressure. Nevertheless, the outcomes of such in investment would reap financial rewards as well as social ones. If a carer (or future carer) is given a short support programme
just after a dementia diagnosis has been made, there is a 28% reduction in admission to long-term care (a median of 557 days) compared to carers who have not received this early support. Timely provision of specialist dementia home support and short breaks (including night-time care) can decrease admission to long term care by, on average, 22%.
One of Alzheimer Scotland’s key targets is to increase people’s choice and control over the care and support that they receive. People with dementia and their families must have access to the information they need in order to make these important choices and be empowered, through an understanding of available funding and an awareness of all possible support options, to take control in their daily lives. We are tackling this need head on. Our Dementia Advisor network, launched in November 2009, provides face-to-face advice and information for people with dementia and their families, as well as working in partnership with local authority social services departments, GPs and CPNs, other voluntary organisations and local community groups. Dementia Advisors complement our long-standing local services all across Scotland.
One of our other key concerns is the impact on care for people with dementia within the NHS. Inappropriate prescribing of antipsychotic drugs costs between £5-8 million a year. 70% of acute hospital beds are currently occupied by older people, at least half of whom have cognitive impairment. People with dementia in hospitals
generally have worse outcomes in terms of length of stay, mortality and lack of choice of option to return home. The vast majority of NHS staff want to provide a better hospital experience for people with dementia, but are not equipped to do so; they need more information, increased support and better training to cope with the changing demographics of today’s hospital wards.
We have just launched a £1.5 million appeal to place Alzheimer Scotland specialist Dementia Nurses in every Scottish Health Board. They work with NHS colleagues to increase staff understanding of dementia and improve standards of care. They aim to reduce the inappropriate prescribing of powerful antipsychotic drugs to modify behaviour. They also seek to reduce the number of people with dementia who are compelled to go from hospital into residential care, instead of being able to go back to their pre-hospital homes (either on their own with social work/community support or being cared for by family/friends).
It is imperative that resources to support people with dementia and their families are not cut – individuals and families themselves already provide 56% of the costs of care for their loved ones and demand very little from public services, often at the expense of their own health and well-being. We believe that it is in the interests of all political parties to make a clear commitment in their forthcoming manifestos to continue the high priority awarded to this by the present Scottish Government.
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