People With Dementia Still At Risk Of Exclusion From End Of Life And Palliative Care Services, UK

Main Category: Palliative Care / Hospice Care
Also Included In: Alzheimer's / Dementia
Article Date: 20 Jul 2008 - 0:00 PDT

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Admiral Nurses welcome the key areas identified within the End of Life Care Strategy, which echo many of the overarching principles contained in the recently launched National Dementia Strategy consultation, and welcome, in particular, in both strategies the specific recognition of the needs of carers.

Karen Harrison, spokesperson for Admiral Nursing and for dementia on end of life and palliative care, says: "The needs of people with dementia and their carers at the end of life require specific attention and expertise. This special focus is not made explicit within the new End of Life Care Strategy which means that people with dementia and their carers are in danger of continuing to be excluded from palliative and end of life care services.

"Indeed, people with dementia with palliative and end of life care needs are at risk of falling outside the scope and recommendations of both the National Dementia Strategy and the End of Life Care Strategy."

Wendy Booth, caring at home for her husband Nigel who has dementia (50) says: "We are going through a nightmare as Nigel reaches the end of his life. He wants to stay at home, he said that very clearly earlier on - and I want to care for him here.

"But unlike people with cancer, families coping with dementia don't automatically get that support - we've had to fight every inch of the way and that's very hard at this sad time. I hope that the End of Life Strategy will put an end to that on-going battle - but I am not sure it will and many will give up the fight to care for their loved ones at home.

"Nigel and I have been luckier than most. We have had help from Admiral Nurses through their national helpline and I belong to the Uniting Carers for dementia Network - but much more specialist and flexible help is required - such as Admiral Nurses."

Admiral Nurses are experienced in working in partnership with palliative/end of life care services and offer specific expertise and practical advice to help ensure people with dementia and their families have good quality end of life care.

-- More info on Admiral Nurses www.fordementia.org.uk/admiral.htm
-- More info on Uniting Carers for dementia www.fordementia.org.uk/carers.htm

The mission of for dementia is to improve the quality of life of people with dementia by promoting and developing Admiral Nursing, providing high quality training and promoting best practice for professionals working with older people, carers and people with dementia. Professional and family carers can call the dedicated Admiral Nursing DIRECT phone line 0845 257 9406 (UK) on Tuesday daytime 10 am- 4 pm, and Tuesday and Thursday evenings between 6pm and 9pm, or email questions to direct@fordementia.org.uk. The charity also supports the Uniting Carers for dementia Network.

www.fordementia.org.uk