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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 Home Environment.


Welcome to the May issue of The Care onment.


New research commissioned by care Care England, the National Care Forum


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


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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STEP COMMUNICATIONS


homes, a rigid definition of ‘care in the home’ and an emphasis on hospital discharge, the Inquiry risks neglecting an entire cohort of people, young and old.” In response, Baroness Hallett has agreed


to expand the investigation beyond both care homes and a narrow definition of homecare. By changing the term ‘residents’ to ‘recipients of care’, the Inquiry will also consider other groups of people who draw on care and support, such as those with autism and learning disabilities. In a joint statement welcoming Baroness Hallett’s decision, Care England CEO Professor Martin Green OBE, NCF CEO Professor Vic Rayner OBE, and Homecare


(NCF), and the Homecare Association have welcomed the decision by the Rt Hon Baroness Hallett – chair of the UK COVID-19 Inquiry – to broaden the scope of Module 6 of the Inquiry, which will examine the impact of the pandemic on social care. Public hearings on this sixth and (as things currently stand) final module of the Inquiry are set to begin in summer 2025, and will investigate the pandemic’s impact on both publicly and privately funded adult social care across the UK. The Inquiry will consider the consequences of government decision- making on those living and working within the care sector. However, as core participants in Module 6, Care England, NCF, the Homecare Association, and other core participants made written and oral submissions asking for the scope of the module to be widened. According to those submissions: “By only focusing on residential care


COVID-19 Inquiry broadens care sector scope


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


Association CEO Dr Jane Townson OBE said: “We are very pleased Baroness Hallett


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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listened to our concerns and recognised the importance of broadening the scope of Module 6. “We urged the Inquiry to recognise that some groups not covered by the original scope suffered far more than others in the pandemic. Mortality rates for people with learning disabilities and autism were 3-4 times higher than for the general population. “This decision is a positive step towards considering the experiences of everyone affected by COVID-19 in social care settings in the Inquiry. This will increase the chance of learning meaningful lessons to protect those most at risk in the future. “Whilst this broadening of scope is


welcome, we’re concerned that Baroness Hallett has stopped short of recognising the impact of the pandemic on those working in and providing services for the people she has now importantly brought into the scope of the Inquiry. Unless Module 6 of the Inquiry considers the experience of all those giving and drawing on care and support, there’s a real risk that the Inquiry might repeat the same mistakes and wrong assumptions that harmed the pandemic response.” I hope you enjoy the issue.


THE


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