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Matt Seex Editor mattseex@stepcomms.com


CARE HOME


ENVIRONMENT Editor Matt Seex


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THE CARE HOME ENVIRONMENT is published monthly by Step Communications Ltd, Step House, North Farm Road,


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Dementia – misconceptions abound


Welcome to the May issue of The Car Home Environment..


Welcome to the April issue of The Care onment


home provider Care UK has laid bare many of the misconceptions and fears that people have about dementia. Almost two thirds of the 2,000 people questioned by OnePoll are afraid of developing dementia when they get older. More surprising is the revelation that 11 per cent started worrying about the condition in their 20s. Misconceptions about dementia abound – a fifth of adults wrongly believe that Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are different names for the same thing, while 17 per cent believe that if a member of their family develops dementia, this means that they will, too. While fourteen per cent of those questioned think that people living with dementia cannot lead a meaningful life, over a third admitted that they actually know little about the condition. Even though there are (according


New research commissioned by care Care England Conference in Westminster, which was held on 13 March. Heading the bill was the Minister of State for Social Care, Stephen Kinnock MP. While his appearance in person was undeniably a step up from the video message he sent to October’s Care Show Birmingham, Mr Kinnock’s speech offered only limited help for the care sector.


It was a pleasure to attend this year’s


to Alzheimer’s Society) an estimated 900,000 people in the UK living with dementia (a number expected to rise to to flourish to the true fulfilment of your potential … You know that even when you


ISSN NO. 2398-3280 The Publisher is unable to take any


responsibility for views e


ISSN NO. 2398-3280 The Publisher is unable to take any


contributors. Editorial views are not necessarily shared by the journal. Readers


responsibility for views expressed by contributors. Editorial views are not


d by


are expressly advised that while the contents of this publication are believed to be


of this publication are belie d to be


accurate, correct and complete, no reliance should be placed upon its contents as being applicable to any particular circumstances.


ate, correct and complete, no reliance should be placed upon its contents as being applicable to any particular circumstances.


This publication is copyright under the Berne ention and the International Cop ention. All rights reserv d, apart from any copying under the UK Cop right Act 1956, part 1, section 7. Multiple copies of the contents of the publication without permission is


This publication is cop right under the Berne Convention and the International Copyright Convention. All rights reserved, apart from any copying under the UK Copyright Act 1956, part 1, section 7. Multiple copies of the contents of the publication without permission is always illegal.


ys illegal.


cessarily shared by the journal. Readers are expressly advised that while the contents


TIONS that support.” The minister lamented the past 14


Once again, attendees found themselves being thanked by a minister for their hard work. Patting people on the back for their “commitment to the idea that we can build a society that elevates the dignity and worth of everyone who lives in it” (whatever that means) is all well and good, but is surely no substitute for the lack of meaningful long-term reform. After all, we all know that the government has kicked that down the road until the conclusion of the Casey commission in 2028. “Every day, you’re expected to do more, with less for longer,” Mr Kinnock rightly acknowledged. “You spend your time papering over the cracks, not being able


COMMUNICA you, there are so many who are not gettingSTEP give your best care to the person in front of


Warm words and limited initiatives from the minister


1.6 million by 2040), Care UK’s research found that 72 per cent of adults have made no effort to learn about the condition. In response, Care UK has launched a new video guide which aims to debunk the myths surrounding dementia and provide support to families whose loved ones have been diagnosed with the condition. Suzanne Mumford, head of nursing,


care and dementia services at Care UK, said: “There are plenty of misconceptions when it comes to dementia, and what this means for the person living with it and their family. “In reality, dementia is a condition that


can be managed to ensure those who live with it can continue to lead fulfilling, meaningful lives and can be supported to still do the things they love. That’s why we’ve launched our latest video guide, One step at a time. Featuring tips from our experts, but also testimonies of residents’ families, it is designed to help people navigate through the dementia journey, from dealing with the initial diagnosis to learning how to live well with dementia.” While the results of Care UK’s research At the end, Professor Martin Green


might be troubling, they are perhaps not all that surprising. The spectre of dementia – along with the prospect of old age itself – is something most of us push to the back of our minds. It is a scary thing to think about, and most of us would prefer not to do so. Yet it is only a matter of time before dementia affects somebody we love, or indeed us personally. Perhaps, then, we all need to be a little braver and find out more about a condition that is almost certain to come into our lives one day. I hope you enjoy the issue.


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years of government indecision and mentioned, as every minister seemingly must, the £22 bn ‘black hole’ left by the previous administration. When Mr Kinnock brought up the Chancellor’s “extremely challenging decision” to increase employers’ National Insurance Contributions, an attendee behind me muttered “madness” – a view surely shared by many others in the room. Mr Kinnock did list what he called “a series of key, short-term reforms that will stabilise the system and provide some immediate relief” – including £3.7 bn of “additional funding” for social care authorities, “prioritising discussions on fair pay”, and several training initiatives to help make social care “a profession that is attractive to people searching for work with meaning and dignity.” He also highlighted the potential benefits of digital technology, reaffirming the government’s aim of having 75 per cent of providers adopt digital social care records, and pointing out that work on “a new shared platform to enable health and care staff to access real-time social care, GP, and hospital data” would begin from this month.


thanked Mr Kinnock for his attendance. “We look forward to our continuing dialogue,” he said. Alas, there was no “continuing dialogue” to be had on this occasion, with Mr Kinnock dashing back to the House of Commons in time for the government to announce the abolition of NHS England. Labelled the “the biggest quango in the world” by the Health Secretary, it remains to be seen what impact this bold move will have on social care. As ever, we shall have to wait and see. I hope you enjoy the issue.


THE


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