Implementing the National Dementia Strategy in Cumbria

Background

Dementia is characterised by progressive deterioration of mental faculties ending in severe incapacity.

Numbers of people with dementia in Cumbria are expected to rise substantially from about 7,000 in 2010 to nearly 13,000 in 2030 as our population ages.

Dementia usually affects older people and becomes more common with age.  About 6 in 100 of those over the age of 65 will develop some degree of dementia, increasing to about 20 in 100 over the age of 85. Dementia can develop in younger people but is less common, affecting about 1 in 1,000 people under the age of 65.

A person may live with dementia for several years, initially with mild dementia and progressing to severe.

The condition has a major impact on the general health and wellbeing of the person and family and presents great challenges for both informal and formal carers.

The National Dementia Strategy has focussed upon what can be done to ensure that support, treatment and care is appropriate to meeting the specific needs of people affected by dementia.

The Approach

The National Dementia Strategy 'Improving Life with Dementia' focuses on the outcomes that are important to people with dementia, their families and their carers. It aims to empower them to sustain their health and wellbeing and to lead the lives they chose, as far as possible, through the course of the illness.

Only by working together can we effectively address the spectrum of support, help, care and treatments needed.

The strategy recognises that people with dementia and their families and their carers are partners in the process of clarifying needs and solutions and, in some instances, meeting the needs of others. 

The Implementation

Cumbria's Dementia Strategy sets out the agenda and framework for a programme of improvement as defined by the National Dementia Strategy and refined by extensive local discussion over the last 2 years.

It is a working document, which has been agreed as a basis for an integrated and coordinated approach.

The implementation process is action orientated and aims to stimulate the development of plans for improvement. These plans will identify who will take the lead, when improvements can be expected, and how they will be resourced and financed.

The process and framework also provides the opportunity for a wide range of organisations, groups and individuals to engage with and contribute to the task of implementation. 

The Structure

Dementia Implementation Group

A Dementia Implementation Group has been established with a membership that consists of a small group of senior staff from health, social care and key third sector agencies, which, over the next three years, will drive and coordinate a programme of improvement. This group will report on progress to Cumbria’s Health and Wellbeing Board.

The detailed work will be undertaken by this group, tasked with progressing changes and priorities.  The priority areas covered will be:-

    1.   Integrated Care Pathway
    2.   Care Environments
    3.   Public Health
    4.   Medicines Management
    5.   User Engagement
    6.   Workforce Development
    7.   Peer Support
    8.   Information and Advice 

Forthcoming Task and Finish Business Group Meetings   

• Tuesday 1 May at 10.00 am in Meeting Room, Fire Station, Busher Walk, Kendal

• Monday 11 June at 10.00 am in Penrith venue tbc

Dementia Forums

In order to ensure that people with dementia, their families and carers can contribute to this process the Alzheimer’s Society in Cumbria has established a programme of local forum meetings. These will act as a focus and channel for their views, comments and suggestions to be fed into the task groups.