We would like to involve as many carers of people with dementia as possible in the implementation of our new strategy. This will help us to ensure that we get the design, location and publicity of new services right. It will help us to understand why so many people with dementia do not come forward for diagnosis and how we can increase understanding of the condition and how to seek help.
Dementia is a condition affecting the brain and can lead to loss of memory and changes to personality. The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease and it mostly affects people over 65.
The strategy aims
- to increase the identification and early diagnosis of people with dementia;
- to improve support to carers and people close to someone with dementia;
- to provide people with dementia and their carers with more choice and control over their care and support.
A new memory assessment service is being planned to help with diagnosis. It will be supported by a single care pathway which can be followed by GPs, professionals and the public as they contact services for help. We want to raise awareness of dementia to improve understanding of the condition and combat the stigma which is often a deterrent to seeking help.
Finally we want to raise knowledge of the condition amongst the health and social care workforce to improve their response to people dementia.
If you are interested in helping us please contact:
Chris Hume, Project Manager, Dementia, NHS Kensington and Chelsea chris.hume@kc-pct.nhs.uk or phone 07532 101586
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