Person Centred Dementia Care Should Be Standard Practice, UK

Main Category: Alzheimer's / Dementia
Article Date: 16 Mar 2009 - 7:00 PDT

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Person-centred dementia care can be taught quickly and should standard practice in residential care homes, according to an article to be published in the April edition of The Lancet Neurology.

The Caring for Aged Dementia Care Resident Study (CADRES) showed that both person-centred care and dementia-care mapping reduces agitation in people with dementia in residential care. Dementia care mapping is a widely practiced technique to improve the way dementia care is provided in care homes. The research, from the University of Technology Sydney, Australia, studied 15 residential care sites involving 289 residents with dementia aged 60 years or over.

'This is an extremely important trial that might greatly affect clinical practice. One third of people with dementia live in a care home. We would like to see all care homes using person-centred care and dementia care mapping; both can be taught quickly, improve quality of life and are cost effective.

Alzheimer's Society research shows that more intensive person centred care can reduce use of dangerous antipsychotic drugs by up to 50%. More research is needed to develop approaches to care that are easy to implement, improve quality of life and reduce the use of antipsychotic drugs.'

Professor Clive Ballard
Director of research
Alzheimer's Society

Alzheimer's Society

Alzheimer's Society is the leading care and research charity for people with all forms dementia and their carers. It provides information and education, support for carers, and quality day and home care. It funds medical and scientific research and campaigns for improved health and social services and greater public understanding of dementia.

The Alzheimer's Society provides a national help line on 0845 3000 336 and website http://www.alzheimers.org.uk. Please include this information in any publication that uses these comments.

Source
The Alzheimer's Society