Alzheimer’s Society Urges Businesses to Support People With Dementia

Businesses urged to support 42,000 people with dementia who are still of working age

One in five (20 per cent) people living with dementia are under the age of retirement and could be making a valuable contribution to businesses. With the UK statutory retirement age rising, and the number of people with dementia expected to increase to one million by 2021, many more people will develop dementia while still in employment.

The guide, ‘Creating a dementia-friendly workplace: A practical guide for employers’, sets out the best practice for businesses. Employers can expect to see a range of benefits including: staff retention; development of empowering and inclusive policies and cultures in the workplace; and importantly ensure employers are fulfilling their legal responsibilities outlined in the Equality Act 2010.

via Businesses urged to support 42,000 people with dementia who are still of working age – Alzheimer’s Society.

Is Bruges the most dementia-friendly city?

Shop-owners in the Belgian city make their customers with dementia feel welcome. What can UK towns and cities learn from its approach, embraced by businesses, communities and council?

via Is Bruges the most dementia-friendly city? | Society | The Guardian.

Eight nutrients to protect the aging brain — ScienceDaily

Eight nutrients to protect the aging brain

Brain health is the second most important component in maintaining a healthy lifestyle according to a 2014 AARP study. As people age they can experience a range of cognitive issues from decreased critical thinking to dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers write about eight nutrients that may help keep your brain in good shape.

via Eight nutrients to protect the aging brain — ScienceDaily.

Dementia Diagnosis Rates in England: March 2015 Target Date Approaches

Data on dementia diagnosis rates from April 2014 to January 2015 have been published, in support of the Dementia Strategy (2009) and David Cameron’s Dementia Challenge. NHS England is committed to increasing dementia diagnosis rates in England by March 2015, with the target of two-thirds of people with dementia receiving a formal diagnosis.

This analysis from the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) examines Quality Outcomes Framework (QOF) recorded dementia diagnoses between April 2014 and January 2015.

Scheme launches to help people take part in dementia research

The “Join Dementia Research” website assists people with dementia to learn about, and become involved in, dementia research. A new enhancement to this service allows people with dementia (or their families / carers for example, acting on their behalf) to register an interest in participating in research studies. This is hoped to remove barriers to public and patient engagement in research trials, while helping researchers find suitable participants as and when required.

Reference: Scheme launches to help people take part in dementia research. London: Department of Health / Dementia Challenge, February 24th 2015.

Beyond Integrated Care: Population Health Systems?

Persons concerned about integrated care and public health are invited to consider population health as a broader, all-encompassing, construct for addressing local public health and a broad range of socio-economic determinants of health inequalities.

Reference: Alderwick, H. Ham, C. and Buck, D. (2015). Population health systems: going beyond integrated care. London: The King’s Fund, January 22nd 2015.

Outline of Government’s Work to Improve Dementia Diagnosis, Care and Research 2015 (House of Commons Library)

Coinciding with publication of the Prime Minister’s Challenge on Dementia 2020, this House of Commons Library Standard Note discusses the Government’s objectives for the next five years, in relation to Government’s, NHS’s and other statutory bodies’ efforts to improve dementia diagnosis, care and support and research. This document presents statistics and maps on ageadjusted dementia prevalence across the UK, including local level data on dementia diagnoses in English Parliamentary constituencies.

Reference: Blow, E. [and] Baker, C. (2015). Dementia: statistics on prevalence and an outline of the Government’s work to improve diagnosis, care and research 2015. London: House of Commons Library, February 23rd 2015. Standard Note: SN07007.

Prime Minister’s Challenge on Dementia 2020: £300m Government Funding Planned for Dementia Research

In the wake of the three-year Prime Minister’s “Dementia Challenge” (2012), David Cameron has announced the follow-up Prime Minister’s Challenge on Dementia 2020. The plan is to further transform dementia research, dementia care and support. It is anticipated that by 2020 England should be the best country in the world (i) to perform research into dementia (and other neurodegenerative diseases), (ii) for dignified, compassionate dementia care and (iii) for the quality of support services available to people with dementia (and their carers / families).

Related BBC link: Government pledges £300m on dementia research