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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 Care Home Environment.


Welcome to the October issue of The Care


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


are forgotten by society and viewed as lost or burdensome continue” says Hannah, who spearheaded the launch and rollout of Orchard’s dementia training programme. “People living with dementia still have so much to contribute to society, and it’s our collective responsibility to ensure they can … The media often perpetuates fear surrounding the condition, which fuels negative societal views and stigma. We must communicate with hope and positivity to shift this narrative.”


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


Changing the perceptions of dementia sits at the core of the training developed by Hannah, which, through an evidence- based approach, seeks to reframe how staff in both clinical and non-clinical roles think about and care for people living with dementia. This training dovetails


According to Orchard Care Homes’ head of dementia Hannah Miller, a significant shift is needed in public and media perceptions of people living with dementia. Advocating for greater efforts to build a more ‘dementia-friendly society’, Hannah argues that people living with dementia should be perceived as valuable members of the community. “We cannot let the situation where people


New research commissioned by care


The perception of dementia: time for an overhaul


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


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.


to effect positive change – policymakers, government officials and the like – to listen to the experiences of those they seek to help. “It’s vital that decision- makers consider the perspectives of the individuals affected by their policies,” she says. “We should not presume we know what’s best for others – they know their needs best.” I hope you enjoy the issue.


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with the provider’s pioneering Reconnect communities, in which a person-centric, therapeutic approach to dementia care is used to understand behaviour and reduce distress for people who may have been refused care elsewhere, or even sectioned under the Mental Health Act. With Alzheimer’s Research UK estimating that 1 in 14 people over 65 in the UK are currently living with dementia (which is almost a million people – and numbers are expected to reach around 1.4 million by 2040) the need to ensure proper care and support for people living with dementia has never been more acute. After all, as Alzheimer’s Research UK points out, one in two of us will be affected by dementia in our lifetime – either by caring for someone with the condition or by developing it ourselves – or both. Hannah is urging those with the power


THE


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