Better communication between patients and medical practitioners as well as firmed up guidance on help for families are the aims of a new policy on dementia for West Lothian.
The county’s Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) has developed the strategy after a year long survey of patients and families and a look at the existing services.
West Lothian has around 2,300 people suffering with dementia with around 100 of those with early onset of the illness before the age of 65.
West Lothian provides a comprehensive range of support services, including specialist diagnostic and post-diagnostic care, social and activity groups, information and advisory services, and care at home solutions incorporating Technology Enabled Care (TEC) to help individuals remain at home and live independently for as long as possible.
For people who are unable to continue living at home there is specialist care/nursing home provision available for people living with dementia.
In a report to the Social Work and Health PDSP, Bhav Joshi, the General Manager of Mental Health and Addictions Services said: “A key priority moving forward is to strengthen the integration and consistency of referral pathways across all stages of the dementia journey.
“Feedback from service users has highlighted gaps in communication and support, particularly between diagnosis and the commencement of Post Diagnostic Support (PDS).
The HSCP study looked at the support available for different stages of dementia from early signs and diagnosis, to managing phases of the illness through early stage, mid and end stages.
The review concluded that the existing literature content available was appropriate and met the information needs of patients and carers.
However, the timing of information delivery was identified as requiring improvement. Previously, patients and carers received large amounts of information at a single point in their journey, which could be overwhelming and less effective, according to feedback gathered from patients and carers.
The report outlined: “To address this, it was agreed that Carers of West Lothian and Alzheimer Scotland would be engaged earlier in the patient pathway. This enhanced partnership approach enables information to be delivered at appropriate intervals throughout the dementia journey, ensuring patients and carers receive relevant guidance when they need it most.”
The HSCP is also developing greater integrated services with organisations such as Alzheimer’s Scotland and NHS Lothian.
There are also plans to develop information on Power of Attorney and pathways for help for carers of those with dementia. The report outlined: “To improve visibility and access to support for carers, informational materials were developed and distributed to GP practices across West Lothian.
“These included a flyer detailing how carers can contact Carers of West Lothian (CoWL) and access the Memory Information Support Team (MIST); a partnership initiative offering early intervention for those supporting individuals with memory difficulties.
“MIST provides practical advice, Agenda Item 12 5 emotional well-being support, peer and social groups, and training on topics such as legal matters (including Power of Attorney), home safety, and dementia awareness.”
Dementia affects an estimated 90,000 people in Scotland, an estimated 3,000 of whom are early onset under 65 years.
Dementia is not an inevitable part of ageing. It is an umbrella term that can be caused by a number of diseases which, over time, damage the brain, typically leading to deterioration in both brain and bodily health. Dementia is life-shortening and, though there are limited pharmacological interventions, there is no cure.
The most common types of dementia are Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, mixed dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies and frontotemporal dementia.
As each person is unique, their experience of dementia especially at early stages will be different from other people.
By Stuart Sommerville, Local Democracy Reporter
