Program Overview

Overview

The number of people diagnosed with dementia in the UK continues to rise year on year. Although dementia still predominantly impacts on the life of older people, there is a steady increase in the number of people under 65 with a diagnosis of dementia.

As the number of people living with dementia continues to rise, it is estimated that seven out of ten of these people will be living with at least one other long-term health condition. Healthcare professionals outside specialist memory and mental health services will need enhanced awareness and knowledge to support people living with dementia as they access services across the health economy.

Key policy documents continue to set out expectations for the quality of care of people living with dementia but it is evident that at times care falls short of these expectations. It is acknowledged that people with dementia spend longer in hospital, have access to limited support and advice and receive lower levels of financial support than people living with other long-term conditions. This may impact on minority groups (eg BAME, LGBT etc) whose contact with services may already be limited by language or cultural difficulties.

A number of national guidelines are in place to support people living with dementia (NICE etc) and workforce development is seen as a priority. Positive leadership is key to supporting change and this module will provide clinicians with the knowledge and skills to be able to lead clinical developments, identify potential barriers, both political and organisational and so enhance care for the person living with dementia and their carers.