NHS Norfolk

Norfolk dementia strategy on the way

A public debate on how people with dementia in Norfolk are best cared for has been hailed a success and a final strategy might be ready later in the spring.

The wide-ranging consultation on a proposed Dementia Strategy has come to an end, after six public meetings across the county, talks with members of voluntary groups such as the Alzheimer’s Society and Age Concern and conversations with some of the county’s care homes.

The draft Dementia Strategy is being drawn up jointly by NHS Norfolk and Norfolk County Council, in partnership with NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney. They hope to launch the Dementia Strategy later this spring.

Steve McCormack from NHS Norfolk said: “We are very pleased that so many people took the time and trouble to offer their views, seek clarification and participate in the discussions. Even the worst of winter weather did not deter people from attending these very valuable discussions.

“We shall now review and analyse all of the comments – the consultation responses will directly inform the strategy.”

David Harwood, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Services at Norfolk County Council, said: “Norfolk County Council and NHS Norfolk are working hard to meet the challenges presented to us by an aging population and this joint strategy will help make life more comfortable for those with this condition as well as their friends and family.

“I thank everyone who got involved with this consultation and gave us their views.”

The draft strategy identifies the need for earlier diagnosis which could help people better plan how to ‘live well’ with dementia, avoid crises, keep them living independently at home for longer and improve the overall quality of their life.

There are already new initiatives being put in place which are designed to underpin those ideals.

NHS Norfolk and Norfolk County Council have ‘matched’ Department of Health funding to enable The Alzheimer’s Society to provide five part time Dementia Advisors operating across Norfolk as part of a national trial for this service.

The Dementia Advisors will be providing advice and support to people who are newly diagnosed with dementia and their families. The advisors will also be helping people to find local and voluntary services which give them the support they need.

Laura Meadowcroft, a branch manager for The Alzheimer’s Society in Norfolk said: “The dementia advisors are important because they empower people with dementia and help them to take control of their lives.

“It is exciting to see the National Dementia Strategy recommendations being implemented in Norfolk. The local consultation has been informative, and will really ensure we are working to meet local need. We hope to continue working closely with partners on driving this forward.”

The role of the Dementia Advisor is being trialled nationally, to measure how effective it might be, and at this stage only clinicians making diagnoses will be referring patients for help and support.

The draft strategy document states: “Recognising that people with dementia are first and foremost individuals will mean that people are treated with respect and dignity. Services will therefore become ‘person-centred’.

But as the National Dementia Strategy makes clear, it is unlikely that there will be a quick fix. The national strategy sets out a five-year timeline for results to really be achieved.

Demand for dementia services will only grow, as the number of older people in Norfolk’s population continues to grow. In 2008 the number of people aged 65 and over in Norfolk predicted to have dementia stood at 12,714. By 2025 this is expected to rise to 20,312 – a 62% increase compared with a national increase of 51%.

About 1 in 14 people over 65 have some form of dementia. That number rises to 1 in 6 people over 80 years old. Women are slightly more likely than men to develop it. Dementia is more common in people who smoke, who consume too much alcohol, who have an unhealthy diet, who are inactive or who do not keep their minds active.