3 in 5 people in Yorkshire and the Humber affected by dementia struggle to get support
The Alzheimer's society says there needs to be a specific support worker
It's been revealed three in five people affected by dementia across the Yorkshire and Humber region struggled with too little support over the last year.
The charity is calling for primary care networks to use Government money to provide at least one dementia support worker in their area to help those in need.
It's hoped that would also help ease pressure on places like hospitals.
A second survey of another 1,000 people affected by dementia, also showed that more than half (54%) of family carers reached crisis point in the last year alone with families having no idea of the support available.
This left people with dementia at risk of going to hospital with avoidable conditions like falls or urinary tract infections, creating unnecessary pressure on the NHS.
Judith King, Head of Services for Alzheimer’s Society in Yorkshire and Humber, said: “No family affected by dementia should face it alone.
Post diagnostic dementia support is unequal, inadequate and inconsistent, leaving families without the necessary care they need to get through some of the hardest and most frightening times of their lives.
“People tell us that a lack of dedicated support means they are relying on the internet to find out about their condition, or that the wellbeing of their loved one with dementia depends on how well they’re ‘doing their homework’ to find support.
Family carers are at breaking point trying to make sure their loved ones are safe, cared for, while trying to maintain some quality of life.
“People need the right support from the moment of diagnosis.
Having a dedicated dementia support worker in every area would plug the gaps we’re seeing in primary care, give people the one point of contact to help them navigate the health and social care system and ease pressure on health services.
“Dementia support workers provide a crucial link between the 900,000 people living with dementia – including an estimated 76,130 in Yorkshire and Humber – and post diagnostic support, and they are incredibly cost effective – every £1 spent results in £4 worth of benefits4.”
Dementia is a complex condition and support needs are often more specialist than those provided by primary care.
They include help with daily tasks, fall prevention, going to community groups and talking therapy to improve wellbeing and prevent mental health crises.
Alzheimer’s Society claim that this type of support could be arranged through close relationships with dementia support workers – solving the problem previous research found that a third of people with dementia felt they had a healthcare professional they could call on for support at any time2.