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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,


HOME ENVIRONMEN


is published monthly by Step Communications Ltd, Step House, North Farm Road,


Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN2 3DR, UK. Tel: +44 (0)1892 779999


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Dementia – misconceptions abound


Welcome to the May issue of The Care Home Environment.


Welcome to the January 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 Centre for Creative Health and the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Arts, Health and Wellbeing – Creative Health Review: How Policy Can Embrace Creative Health – shows that making creative health an integral part of the social and health care system may help reduce health inequalities and increase life expectancy.


to Alzheimer’s Society) an estimated 900,000 people in the UK living with dementia (a number expected to rise to


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


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


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


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d by


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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


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According to the report, creative health – defined as any creative approach that might have benefits for health and wellbeing, including visual and performing arts, literature, creative activities in nature, and innovative approaches to providing care services – can help prevent ill-health and support the management of long- term conditions, offering residents and patients effective, non-clinical approaches that could reduce reliance on services while improving quality of life. The Creative Health Review outlines the benefits of creative health and advocates for its immediate, widespread adoption. The report highlights the potential significance of creative health in addressing the challenges faced by social and health care systems. It points out that health inequalities in the UK are among the worst in Europe, with the gap widening, and with life expectancy actually falling in some of the poorest areas of the country. These issues should, according to the Creative Health Review, be addressed as a matter of social justice, although there are broader implications for the economy in terms of increased costs to the health system,


A new report published by The National


Could better creative health benefit social care?


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


and productivity loss. The report sets out a roadmap for policymakers to provide a more creative and healthier future for all, based on a new approach that is forward- thinking, preventative, and person- centred.


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


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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The report also highlights successful models across the UK where partnerships between arts, health, social care, and education are yielding positive results. The Rt Hon. Lord Howarth of Newport CBE, chair of the National Centre for Creative Health and co-chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Arts, Health and Wellbeing, said: “We want government to recognise that creative health should be part of the bigger picture not just for health and social care, but across a wide range of its responsibilities including education, justice, levelling up, and the economy. Creative health isn’t limited to one sector; it’s about working together.


“Our ambition is for creative health to be integral to health, social care, and wider systems, including education. I look forward to creativity being recognised by the general public, healthcare professionals, and policymakers as a resource to support health and wellbeing across the life course, and its benefits being accessible to all.” I hope you enjoy the issue.


THE


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