NHS must stop turning other cheek – Alzheimer’s Society

A report by the ombudsman found that the NHS is failing to provide even the most basic standards of care for this group.  The lack of compassion and respect shown was shocking.

A quarter of all hospital beds are occupied by people with dementia and an Alzheimer's Society report recently found that people with dementia's condition frequently deteriorates while they are in hospital. The cost of poor hospital care for people with dementia is millions of pounds.

Andrew Chidgey, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at Alzheimer's Society says,

'Today's report is a shocking reminder that older people, especially those with dementia, are too often treated like second class citizens. Attitudes, training and problems with the wider system need to be addressed urgently. The NHS can no longer turn the other cheek. Good care is possible but only with the right approach and support.'

Alzheimer's Society's campaign 'Putting Care Right' aims to improve the care of people with dementia in hospital. To find out more or to join the campaign please visit alzheimers.org.uk/countingthecost

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Notes to editors:

• People with dementia occupy a quarter of all hospital beds
• Counting the Cost: caring for people with dementia on hospital wards (2009) reveals large, costly variations in the quality of care for people with dementia
• The report found that people with dementia stay far longer in hospital than people without the condition who go in for the same treatment at a cost of hundreds of millions of pounds to the NHS
• One in three people over 65 will die with dementia 
• Alzheimer's Society research shows that 750,000 people in the UK have a form of dementia, more than half have Alzheimer's disease. In just 15 years a million people will be living with dementia. This will soar to 1.7 million people by 2051
• Alzheimer's Society champions the rights of people living with dementia and the millions of people who care for them
• Alzheimer's Society works in England, Wales and Northern Ireland 
• Alzheimer's Society supports people to live well with dementia today and funds research to find a cure for tomorrow. We rely on voluntary donations to continue our vital work. You can donate now by calling 0845 306 0898 or visiting alzheimers.org.uk
  
• Alzheimer's Society provides a National Dementia Helpline, the number is 0845 300 0336 or visit alzheimers.org.uk