Charity calls for shake-up of dementia care in Scotland

By ANDREW WHITAKER
Published on 18/09/2012 12:05

A CHARITY has called for a radical shake-up of care services for people with dementia in Scotland.

Alzheimer Scotland has said that many of Scotland’s estimated 84,000 sufferers do not receive the coordinated health and social support that is vital to help them live in the community.

Carers, partners and families of sufferers are also lacking essential support as a result of the current “fragmented” care system, the charity claimed.

Alzheimer Scotland wants to see a co-ordinator employed to oversee the treatment and care of dementia patients.

This may include access to psychological services and regular reviews of patients’ wellbeing.

It is one of a number of recommendations outlined in the charity’s new report, delivering integrated dementia care: The eight pillars model of community support.

The charity hopes the document will act as a blueprint for local authorities and NHS boards.

Dementia includes a range of brain diseases of which Alzheimer’s is the most common. It predominantly affects older people.

An ageing population means that, based on current estimates, the number of people with dementia will double within the next 25 years.

Henry Simmons, chief executive of Alzheimer Scotland, said: “We wish to work alongside the Scottish Government, NHS Boards, local authorities and other bodies to ensure they use the Eight Pillars as a portal to deliver equal access to the best possible treatments and support for every person with dementia.