Dementia projects with innovative approaches to improving the lives of care home residents have been awarded funding by the Mental Health Foundation today, as part of the charity’s Home Improvements scheme.
The government’s recent dementia strategy called for an increased focus on dementia care in care homes, where two out of three residents have a form of the disease. 1
Currently, many care homes provide little appropriate support for people with dementia. It is estimated that over 100 000 people a year 2 are inappropriately prescribed anti-psychotic medication to control their behaviour, and three-quarters of care home residents in one study 3 complained of not having enough daytime activities.
The Home Improvements schemewill seek to demonstrate that effective interventions and quality services for people with dementia in care homes are possible.
The projects, in Blackpool, Yorkshire, Norfolk and Oxfordshire each focus on a different aspect of residential care that could be improved. Once evaluated, the schemes’ successes will be shared to ensure they can be adopted across the country.
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Norfolk County Council will use a £20,000 grant to help families and friends of residents to become more involved with their care homes
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South West Yorkshire NHS Mental Health Trust will develop a multimedia toolkit for the use of life stories in dementia careusing a £15,000 grant
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Blackpool Council will involve care home residents in setting local standards of care using a £6,740 grant
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Age Concern Oxfordshire have received £21,757 to provide information and training on the needs and issues of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered residents
Toby Williamson, Associate Head of Service Improvement & Workforce Development at the Mental Health Foundation, said:
“Dementia costs the UK £17 billion and 60,000 lives a year 4. Yet as these figures rise many care homes are closing and still more are unable to provide specialist care.
We need to make sure that care homes are fully engaged with and supported to meet the challenge of giving their residents the best quality of life possible. Home Improvements is an exciting opportunity to show what can be done for people with dementia.”
Around 700,000 people suffer from dementia in the UK. This number is expected to rise to over 1 million by 2025. 5 The Home Improvements grants were awarded at an event at NESTA (National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts) in central London today.
ENDS
Sources:
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1 – Dementia: The Full Report, Alzheimer’s Society, 2007
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2 – A Last Resort, All Party Parliamentary Group on Dementia, 2008
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3 – Hancock et al, International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 2005
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4,5 – The rising cost of dementia: are we prepared?, alzheimer’s Society, 2007
Editor’s Notes
For more information please contact the Mental Health Foundation press office on 020 7803 1130/1128. (Out of hours 07766124013).
The Mental Health Foundation (www.mentalhealth.org.uk) uses research and practical projects to help people survive, recover from and prevent mental health problems. We work to influence policy, including government at the highest levels. And we use our knowledge to raise awareness and to help tackle the stigma attached to mental illness. We reach millions of people every year through our media work, information booklets and online services.
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