Alzheimer's Society Report Should Serve As An 'Alarm Call' To Government, Says Help The Aged, UK

Main Category: Alzheimer's / Dementia
Article Date: 28 Nov 2007 - 4:00 PDT

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Commenting on the report from the Alzheimer's Society which reveals that many people living in care homes with dementia go for hours without speaking to anyone and that over two thirds of of people with alzheimer's are cared for in dedicated beds, Paul Cann, director of policy & external relations at Help the Aged said:

'This shocking report should act as an urgent alarm call to the Government to raise standards in care for people with dementia.

'These are not new issues, and yet so many older people living with this disease are denied basic dignity. Unless steps are taken to address this, even more people will suffer in silence because the rate of dementia is increasing.

'Help the Aged has been campaigning for some time on the imporatnce of ensuring dignity for dementia sufferers. We have recently developed a practice guide for individuals working with hospital patients - it is through highlighting good practice and encouraging care homes and hospitals to adopt such approaches that real progress can be made.

'Health minister Ivan Lewis has announced that a new strategy will be published at a later date - this report today underlines just how much this is needed.'

Notes:

Help the Aged has produced a guide for practitioners caring for people with dementia - please call 020 7239 1891

Help the Aged is the charity fighting to free disadvantaged older people in the UK and overseas from poverty, isolation, neglect and ageism. It campaigns to raise public awareness of the issues affecting older people and to bring about policy change. The Charity delivers a range of services: information and advice, home support and community living, including international development work. These are supported by its paid-for services and fundraising activities - which aim to increase funding in the future to respond to the growing unmet needs of disadvantaged older people. Help the Aged also funds vital research into the health issues and experiences of older people to improve the quality of later life.

Help the Aged urgently needs donations and support to help it in the increasingly challenging fight to free disadvantaged older people from poverty, isolation and neglect.

Help the Aged