Dementia Diagnosis Can Improve Lives for Elderly in North Yorkshire

Published 05 July 2012.

The process of considering dementia can be a worrying and upsetting time for both the individual concerned and their wider circle of family and friends. It is important to be aware, however, that with sufficient planning and support many people with dementia can continue to live an active and fulfilling life.

A key element of ensuring that people who suffer from dementia receive appropriate care and support is diagnosis. This not only enables families to access medical treatment and support services that may be available, but also helps them to understand how they will be affected and what they should plan for in the future. Despite this, an All-Party Parliamentary Group on Dementia has found that significant improvements are needed amongst memory services in the UK. Only 43% of people with dementia have a formal diagnosis and there are considerable variations in diagnosis rates across the country (70% of people with dementia in Belfast have a diagnosis vs. only 32% in parts of Wales). There is also great variability in the length of time people have to wait for an appointment with their local memory service, which can range from just a few weeks to more than a year.

Carefound provides specialist dementia care to elderly people in their own homes in North Yorkshire, and its home care team always seeks to work alongside families and specialist mental health teams in ensuring that a diagnosis is considered as early as possible. We will then work with families in helping them plan for the future so as their loved one can continue to enjoy the highest quality of life achievable. The home care service provided includes specialist, tailored dementia care which involves approaching daily activities from the point of view of the person with the condition and understanding important parts of their background and life experiences.

About Carefound:

Carefound is a provider of specialist home care and dementia care services to elderly people in North Yorkshire, enabling clients to continue to live independently in the comfort of their own home whilst maintaining the highest quality of life achievable. Services provided include basic help in the home,companionship, personal care, medication help, post-operative rehabilitation, respite care and specialist help such as dementia care and palliative care. The flexible service ranges from 1 hour to 24 hours per day, 7 days a week, including bank holidays, and can also encompass 24-hour live in care services.

Source: Carefound, All-Party Parliamentary Group on Dementia, Alzheimer’s Society.