Internet boost for dementia care cuts drug use

NEW web-based training packages are being rolled out in dozens of care homes in East and North Yorkshire to help carers better understand the needs of people with dementia.

In the East Riding numbers affected by the disease are expected to double to more than 8,000 by 2025.

A 2m research project uses an interactive system which helps carers work with depressed and agitated sufferers without resorting to powerful – and potentially damaging – anti-psychotic drugs.

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The system has been developed over more than a year and will be trialled in at least 50 care homes and amongst 500 to 600 carers.

Because of the high turnover of staff in homes for the elderly, any lessons that are learned in normal training sessions are often quickly lost. However, the internet-based system is a resource carers can use at any time.

The study, called Challenge Demcare, is led by Professor Esme Moniz-Cook, consultant clinical psychologist at Humber NHS Foundation Trust and honorary professor of clinical psychology and ageing at the Hull York Medical School.

Prof Moniz-Cook said: "This programme is to help people so they don't get agitated and depressed and aggressive and staff don't need to go to the doctor and get anti-psychotics which actually reduce survival rates. It's about ensuring that people get the medical checks they need which because of the delirium is not always apparent and it's about teaching staff to actually communicate with the person with dementia.

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"It's also about getting systems organised so that care homes are set up in the right way. Physical environments are quite important - if a place is too noisy people can get over stimulated.

"Carers can ask questions and get suggestions.

"We are not trying to make them doctors, nurses or psychologists but to get the base knowledge right and give us the information so they can get support from outside services."

The project is funded by the National Institute of Health Research. Its effectiveness - both in terms of the impact on staff and cost will be evaluated - after six months and a year.