Coordinated community intervention reduces care home need
Published 18 July 2012
Research presented at Alzheimer’s Association’s International Conference 2012 shows that a co-ordinated, multidisciplinary approach to care in the home can improve quality of life.
The approach can also greatly reduce the need for people with dementia to leave their homes.
Over the course of 18 months, a team of allied health professionals specifically trained in dementia care conducted a controlled trial involving 303 people with cognitive disorders. Through the use of interventions such as multidimensional needs assessments, memory disorder education and counselling, the team saw a significant drop in the need for participants to be transferred to a care home. Participants also reported improvements in quality of life.
Alzheimer's Society comment:
'Most people with dementia want to live independently for as long as possible. This study shows this is entirely possible when trained staff work together in partnership to support people in the community.'
'The kind of joined up care demonstrated in this study is sadly all too rare. Dementia care shouldn't just be about carers or clinicians working in silos. We need to see more dementia specific training for professionals and joined up working in order to improve care quality and ultimately improve the quality of life of people with dementia.'
Louise Lakey
Policy Manager
Alzheimer's Society
- Ends -
Notes to editors:
- One in three people over 65 will die with dementia
- Alzheimer's Society research shows that 800,000 people in the UK have a form of dementia, more than half have Alzheimer's disease. In less than ten 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
