Dementia worse after hospital stay

Published on Monday 16 November 2009 21:06

DEMENTIA patients remain in hospital for far too long, causing them to deteriorate during their stay, a report revealed yesterday.

Those admitted to hospital for treatment after a fall, a hip replacement, infection or stroke stay much longer than people admitted for the same problems who do not have dementia.

Yet, despite the extra time spent in NHS care, many people with dementia are discharged in a worse state than when they went in, the report by the Alzheimer's Society says.

The findings were based on research questioning more than 2,400 NHS staff and carers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. But yesterday campaigners said the situation in Scotland was "by no means dissimilar". Alzheimer Scotland said there were thousands of people with dementia receiving hospital treatment in the country.

It said the treatment may not be for dementia, but the nature of the illness meant that it should be taken into account in order to minimise distress.

Henry Simmons, chief executive of Alzheimer Scotland, said: "The vast majority of NHS staff want to provide a better hospital experience for people with dementia, but are not equipped to do so; they need more information, increased support and better training to cope with the changing demographics of today's hospital wards.

"The lack of understanding of dementia issues can have a serious impact on the health of people with dementia and the mental well-being of their carers.

"It is also of serious concern that limited perception of what might be possible in terms of community support often results in people being unnecessarily discharged into a care home rather than returning home."