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Care homes have an essential role to play in modernising dementia care
31 October 2007
Approaches to dementia care must be modernised, if the long-term care industry is to keep pace with the growing number of people suffering from dementia, warns Dr Graham Stokes, head of mental health at the Leeds-based Bupa Care Homes. Speaking today at Care and Health's Dementia Care conference, Dr Stokes outlined the impact of this increase and the role care homes can play in improving dementia care.
According to statistics from the National Audit Office, the number of people with dementia in England will more than double by 2050, rising from 560,000 to 1.2 million. This rise is in line with the growth of the ageing population in general - as the post-war "baby boomer" generation ages and people continue to live longer lives.
However, there are already insufficient specialist facilities for those with dementia. Only a third of people with dementia (35.9%, 201,000 people) currently live in care homes, of which less than two thirds (61.7%, 124,000 people) benefit from a registered specialist dementia place*. This lack of specialist dementia care facilities must be addressed, if the long-term care industry is to meet the needs of the increasing numbers of people suffering from the condition.
Dr Stokes explained: "As dementia becomes more prevalent, the ability of community care to offer safe and adequate provision for people living with this disease will decline, so an alternative solution must be sought. Care homes have an essential role to play in this solution – more homes have to provide care for people with progressive intellectual disabilities like dementia."
He added: "While there are benefits to intensive homecare, where appropriate, the progressive dependency and unpredictability of people with dementia can destabilise these arrangements. As an alternative, there is huge potential for care homes to offer people with dementia improved quality of life – particularly in terms of offering human contact within a secure living environment."
Bupa's Dr Stokes emphasised the importance of a person-centred approach in dementia care - which means personalising care according to the health and personal needs of individuals. In doing this, care homes can offer a supportive environment that provides occupational activities, human contact and peace of mind.
Dr Stokes said: "In the same way that each care home resident has specific physical and health needs, every individual clearly has their own personal requirements, interests, behaviours and anxieties. By recognising these personal factors, carers can go part way to alleviate some of the distress people with dementia experience."
Visit the Bupa care homes website.
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