Kent has been developing or refreshing policies and practices for those with dementia. The number of dementia friendly communities is now six, namely
- Westgate
- Northfleet
- Swanley - in Sevenoaks District
- West Malling - in Tunbridge and West Malling District
- Canterbury
- Eastry.
Each place is developing in its own manner with with guiding hands of the Project Officer for Dementia Friendly Communities (in the Kent County Council SILK office). What is the nature of the task for Kent?
Diagnosis of those with dementia in Kent is improving and stands at about 30,000. Nevertheless the prevalence of those diagnosed with dementia is less than 50% (but probably higher than 45%). It seems that some individual General Practices have rates of diagnosis as high as 70%. Dartford Gravesham and Swanley Clinical Commissioning Group have, it is understood, a rate of 51% and a target of 66% by 2015!
Commissioning and developmental policies in the area of the DGS CCG have included:
- training of GPs (those primary care doctors' surgeries) in assessment of those with memory problems
- specialist dementia nurses appointed to cover two surgeries in a community
- application of the NICE dementia protocol
- shared development of the volunteer Dementia Buddy Scheme at Darent Valley hospital
- shared development of the upgrading of dementia care settings in hospitals and care homes
- specialist dementia nurses appointed to liaise with staff at the Ellenor Lions Hospice
- assessment for memory problems or dementia of all patients (aged 75 and over) admitted to hospital for at least 72 hours.
All this suggests that increasing numbers of residents with dementia will be diagnosed, but the target is moving. The natural growth in the the numbers of those in each of the 10 year-cohorts of residents over the age of 65 years means greater numbers of those diagnosed with dementia! The demand for social care, including end-of-life care will increase. One reason for dementia friendly communities lies in this growth "vector".
Those with dementia tend to have relatively more acute injuries and illnesses which arise from the nature of their symptoms. Once in hospital they tend to stay longer and are relatively challenging patients - again because of their symptoms.
Dementia friendly communities might address these issues in several ways:
- greater friendliness usually means less stress, etc and greater help when those with dementia are out and about in busy streets and business premises
- greater friendliness usually means everyday transactions are easier to handle for those with dementia
- greater friendliness usually means more opportunities for leisure and relaxation for carers as well as those with dementia
- greater friendliness usually means that homes, care settings, other buildings and green and town or village environments are adapted or designed to be helpful to those with dementia.
Finally, a successful dementia friendly community comes about because residents, visitors, health and social care workers, businesses and others take the trouble to find out what those with dementia:
- say they need,
- say they want to do,
- say they have decided / chosen X or Y or Z.
Four youngsters. Brie, Fred, Sarah and Sam wrote the 28 entries in The Dementia Diaries. With nearly 100 pages this booklet deserves to be a best seller. Yes a best seller! When the second volume arrives in the world's bookshops the words "International Best Seller" will not be a cliche. It is now available on Amazon.
From the first page I had smiles, laughs out loud, tears in my eyes and numerous moments of reflection! The book is described as a "novel of cartoons". Written and illustrated by Matthew Synman (and, I suppose, the now famous four), we have been given a gem.
The four grandchildren tell us, in their own words, of life with a grandpa or grandma who begin to have memory problems, minor crises, bouts of wandering, and who are eventually assessed and diagnosed as four of those living with "demensias" (which became "dementia" in a later diary entry - after some googling).
The book vividly describes in various ways, but without jargon, the clinical symptoms of dementias in the words of grandchildren of about 9 to 14 years. In addition we are given by each diary author some insights (with illustrations and comments) into life as young persons.
All adults have been through childhood - those who can remember will smile (or cry) at some of the comments of family life in a home community. That aside may not seem pertinent, but it should not diminish the important messages for adult readers about the implicit (mis)behaviour towards those who come to live with dementia by friends. At thde same time their are heartwrming stories of help in naturally dementia friendly communities.
Finally, the natural acceptance of their grandparents life with dementia, although expressed at times with a sense of loss and sorrow, is an example to all.
The book ends with a useful 'directory' about dementias and sources of information about them and the support services available, particularly in Kent but also nationally.
[Please note that if you want to read The Dementia Diaries it is available in all Kent CC's public libraries and has been distributed to Kent County County's schools. Otherwise, it is available from KCC SILK office for £5.99 including packaging and postage. It is likely that special arrangements will be made for bulk purchases. Also see Post 15.]
Publisher: SILK Publishing, Social Innovation Lab Kent, Kent County Council, 3rd Floor, Invicta House, County Hall, Maidstone, Kent ME14 1XQ.
ISBN: 978-0-9576600-0-7
