As the population in the UK ages and people live longer, dementia has becomes one of the most important health and care issues facing the world. The NHS said: “Dementia mainly affects older people, after the age of 65, the likelihood of developing dementia roughly doubles every five years. However, for some, dementia can develop earlier, presenting different issues for the person affected, their carer and their family.”
According to the World Health Organisation, there are around 50 million people worldwide who have dementia.
Every year, there are nearly 10 million new cases. The degenerative condition impacts a persons cognitive function.
It affects memory, thinking, orientation, comprehension, calculation, learning capacity, language, and judgement.
The World Health Organisation said on their website: “Dementia results from a variety of diseases and injuries that primarily or secondarily affect the brain, such as Alzheimer’s.
“Dementia is one of the major causes of disability and dependency among older people worldwide.
“It can be overwhelming, not only for the people who have it, but also for their carers and families.”
Caring for someone with dementia can be very daunting and overwhelming.
A UCLA-led research looked into a comprehensive dementia care program within a health system which helps improve the mental and emotional health of patients and their caregivers.
The research found that having a care program staffed by nurse practitioners helped reduce patients’ behavioural problems and depression.
This study shows that providing a high quality of care for persons with dementia, and providing caregiver support and education, can make a difference in health outcomes that are important to people
Doctor David Reuben, chief of the UCLA division at the David Geffen school of medicine
The program also helped lower the distress of caregivers.
Doctor David Reuben, chief of the UCLA division at the David Geffen school of medicine and the study’s lead author said: “Although the program was implemented at only one site, the principles of the program and model of care can be adopted and adapted to fit other health systems.
“This study shows that providing a high quality of care for persons with dementia, and providing caregiver support and education, can make a difference in health outcomes that are important to people.”
Coronation Street star Sally Lindsay, 46, shared her experience with dementia on her grandmother Ellen. “It still brings a tear to me eye when I think about my Gran, Ellen, because she was only 64 years old when she was diagnosed with dementia.
“Then there was a sudden decline before she died at the age of 70 in 1990, which was just devastating.
“Gran was like a second mum to me and while her journey with dementia has inspired me to help Alzheimer’s Society find a cure for dementia, I‘ll always cherish the joyful memories she created for me and my brother in our childhood, because they are priceless.”
The NHS added: “Dementia is a key priority for both NHS England and the Government.
“The Challenge on Dementia 2020 was set up to build on the achievements on dementia.
“It sets out the aim that by 2020 the UK will be the best country in the world for dementia care and support and the best place in the world to undertake research into dementia.”
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