Dementia sufferers face care shake-up

They are concerned the present system encourages people to be sent to nursing homes, rather than focusing on how people could be better supported at home.

A report to members of Calderdale Council’s cabinet says: “The system can seem to drive people into more formal – and expensive care – and cannot always operate flexibly enough to support people better and longer in their own homes.”

It is forecast by 2029 there will be 25,900 people over the age of 75 living in the Calderdale area – a 69 per cent increase from present. The numbers with dementia are also predicted to rise, bringing greater demand for services, which will lead to increased costs.

Members will discuss a report which looks at the services offered to those with dementia.

It also recommends a change of focus to take steps to increase the diagnosis of dementia and offering earlier support and advice to ensure people are not just treated when they reach a crisis. Early diagnosis may help reduce the impact of the illness and therefore the cost of the care needed.

It will also give GPs and surgeries a chance to put together better care plans for patients. Better training is also proposed for staff and support would be offered for carers.

“The report recognises that additional resources are unlikely to be available to enhance services to people with dementia but does call for a reallocation of resources away from acute hospital care and from residential and nursing home care to primary care to improve the rate of early diagnosis and to support people with dementia and their carers at earlier stages of the illness,” the report adds.

Members will be asked to back the report when they meet next Monday.