Poll shows overwhelming support for trained staff in care homes

Despite this care staff receive no compulsory training in dementia - a condition affecting two thirds of all care home residents. The findings come as Alzheimer's Society releases a new guide to choosing a care home.

Alzheimer's Society's Putting Care Right - your guide to choosing a care home released today (5) features the essential issues to consider when deciding on a care home for a person with dementia. It lists questions families can put to care home staff and includes blank pages for notes on the places they visit.

Actor Tony Robinson, an Alzheimer's Society ambassador says,

I had no idea how to begin my search for a care home after my mum developed Alzheimer's disease. Taking the decision to move into residential care will never be an easy one, but being armed with the right information can really help.

This guide raises the crucial questions everyone should ask about care homes. It will also help people to understand how to recognise quality care and help them to start demanding the high standards of care that people with dementia deserve.

The charity's survey found a third of people over 55 have experience of looking for care homes, but nationwide more than more than four out of ten people admit they would not know what to look for in a good care home. Skilled staff appear to be more important than a nicely decorated room when it comes to deciding on the quality of residential care. A choice of activities and access to outside space was also rated as important by more than 94 per cent of people.

Neil Hunt, chief executive of Alzheimer's Society says,

One in three people over 65 will end their life with a form of dementia and many will spend their final years in a care home. Our Putting Care Right campaign is about ensuring people with dementia get access to quality care. This means compulsory dementia training for all staff and tougher inspection and regulation systems. It also means challenging our views and raising expectations of care for people with dementia in care homes.

To download a copy of Putting Care Right - your guide to choosing a care home visit www.alzheimers.org.uk/puttingcarerightguide, email pubsorders@alzheimers.org.uk or telephone Alzheimer's Society's Dementia Helpline on 0845 300 0336.

Notes to editors

• Gfk interviewed 919 people in England, Wales and Northern Ireland between 11th and 13th January 2008. Interviews took place via a telephone methodology using a quota sample.
• 1 in 3 older people will end their lives with a form of dementia
• 700,000 people in the UK have a form of dementia, more than half have Alzheimer's disease. In less than 20 years nearly a million people will be living with dementia. This will soar to 1.7 million people by 2051. 1 in 6 people over 80 have dementia.
• The Alzheimer's Society champions the rights of people living with dementia and those who care for them. The Alzheimer's Society works in England, Wales and Northern Ireland
• As a charity, the Alzheimer's Society depends on the generosity of the public to help it care, research and campaign for people with dementia. You can donate now by calling 0845 306 0898 or visiting http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/  
• The Alzheimer's Society Dementia Helpline number is 0845 300 0336 or visit http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/

For further information: Press Office, Jessica Mangold (020 7423 3594)