Note: figures presented in the JSNA have been updated since it was published. Please see the Nottinghamshire County Dementia Framework for Action.

Introduction

Dementia is a term used to describe a range of brain disorders that have in common a loss of brain function that is usually progressive and eventually severe.  The most common types of dementia are Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia and dementia with Lewy bodies.  Some people have both vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

Dementia is one of the main causes of disability in later life and the number of people with dementia is rising yearly as the population ages.  Dementia can affect people of any age but is most common in older people, particularly those aged over 65 years. The number of people aged over 65 living with dementia in Nottinghamshire is predicted to rise from 11022 in 2015 to 13138 in 2021.  This represents a 19.2% increase over 6 years.

This chapter considers the health and social care needs of people with dementia.  Other relevant links within the JSNA are to sections on Adult Mental Health (particularly Depression), End of Life, Older People with Long Term Conditions and Carers.

Dementia has become prominent in the last 5 years with the publication of two significant policy documents: the National Dementia Strategy in 2009 and the Prime Minister’s Challenge in 2012 (links below).

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/168220/dh_094051.pdf

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/215101/dh_133176.pdf

Unmet needs and gaps

Unmet needs and service gaps include:- 

• Supporting Dementia Friends and Dementia Friendly communities in line with national policy
• Improving diagnosis rates to meet the national target of 67% - including GP awareness, capacity in memory assessment services and using the acute hospital CQUIN, FAIR (Find, Assess and Investigate, Refer)
• Provision of post diagnosis support  including:
• Better, more accessible and timely information
• Additional support for people of working age with a diagnosis of dementia
• Issues of capacity in specialist mental health services
• Crisis response and support
• Support for carers
• Better alignment with physical health services
• Quality of acute hospital care for people with dementia and/or delirium
• End of Life Care
• Improving quality in Care homes
• Awareness of dementia and support for people from BME communities and other minority groups
• Increased awareness of dementia in primary and acute care

Recommendations for consideration by commissioners

• Support Dementia Friends and Dementia Friendly communities in line with national policy
• Improve diagnosis rates to achieve 67% target
• Better alignment with physical health services including diet and nutritional advice
• Provision of post diagnosis support  including:
• Better, more accessible and timely information
• Additional support for people of working age with a diagnosis of dementia
• Address issues of capacity in specialist mental health services
• Crisis response and support
• Support for carers
• Continued development of knowledge and skills across health and social care

No key contacts listed.