From: unk...@googlegroups.com   
      
   1 December 2014 Last updated at 00:44 ET   
      
   Dementia patients lack proper care, says report   
      
   Conceptual computer artwork depicting neurology. From left to right: MRI brain   
   scans, 3D dsi white matter brain scan, brain, Alzheimer's brain versus normal   
   brain, MRI brain scan   
      
      
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   Dementia sufferers are not getting the care they need because the condition is   
   not recognised as a terminal illness, two leading charities have claimed.   
      
   A report by Marie Curie Cancer Care and the Alzheimer's Society said dementia   
   sufferers faced barriers to receiving the high-quality care they require.   
      
   More than 800,000 people in the UK are thought to have the incurable disease.   
      
   The government said the issues raised were being addressed. The charities say   
   they will develop an action plan.   
      
   Dementia is an umbrella term used for about 100 diseases in which brain cells   
   die on a huge scale.   
      
   Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia, which affects brain   
   function and causes problems with memory, mental agility, language skills, and   
   the ability to carry out everyday tasks.   
      
   The report draws on research from across the UK and particularly from   
   University College London, as well as findings from health and social care   
   services.   
      
   'Silent epidemic'   
   It addresses the terminal nature of the illness, calling it "the forgotten   
   aspect of what has been referred to as a 'silent epidemic"'.   
      
   "The issue is system-wide, there are so many opportunities for people to fall   
   through the gaps," said Phil McCarvill, head of policy and public affairs, at   
   Marie Curie, a charity that provides care for terminally ill people.   
      
   The report said: "To date, much of the focus has been on living well with   
   dementia, with little focus on the experiences of people with dementia nearing   
   the end of their lives.   
      
   "We must ensure a stronger focus on the inevitable conclusion of what is a   
   progressive, terminal condition. Those with dementia will die (whether   
   directly as a result of dementia or of another co-existing condition) and we   
   must improve the care of people    
   in the later stages of dementia."   
      
   It said the response to terminal illness and death from these types of   
   illnesses had been shaped in response to cancer.   
      
   And said core services now needed to transform to respond to the needs of   
   people with other diseases, such as dementia.   
      
   line break    
   Generic dementia picture   
   How common is dementia?   
   The leading cause of death for women in England and Wales   
   It is predicted there will be around 850,000 people in the UK with dementia in   
   2015   
   It mainly affects people over the age of 65   
   Approximately one in 14 people over the age of 65 have dementia   
   There are more than 40,000 people in the UK under the age of 65 who have   
   dementia   
   Source: Alzheimer's Society and the Office for National Statistics   
      
   line break    
   Mr McCarvill said: "End of life care for people with dementia remains a hidden   
   aspect of health and social care in England so it is vital that we shine a   
   light on the final stages of dementia to improve care and support for people   
   and their families."   
      
   Jeremy Hughes, chief executive at the Alzheimer's Society, said: "Dementia is   
   frequently overlooked as being a terminal illness and as a consequence, there   
   are unacceptable failures to prepare and plan for end-of-life care.   
      
   "Despite much attention on dementia in recent years, many people with dementia   
   are not dying where they had hoped; others face meeting the end of their life   
   in pain or without dignity."   
      
   Both charities now aim to bring several groups dealing with dementia patients   
   together - including NHS organisations, social care bodies, charities and   
   researchers - in a bid to tackle the issues the report has raised and develop   
   an action plan.   
      
   A spokesman for the Department of Health said: "We are putting an   
   unprecedented focus on ensuring that dementia patients get high quality care   
   tailored to their needs right through their illness - including the end of   
   their lives.   
      
   "NHS England is addressing the issues raised by this report as part of a wide   
   range of initiatives, including the upcoming refresh of the End of Life Care   
   Strategy."   
      
   More on This Story   
   Related Stories   
      
   Brain's dementia weak spot found 24 NOVEMBER 2014, HEALTH   
   Dementia tops female causes of death 29 OCTOBER 2014, HEALTH   
   GPs to get £55 for dementia diagnoses 22 OCTOBER 2014, HEALTH   
   Living with early onset dementia 13 OCTOBER 2014, MANCHESTER   
   The dementia timebomb 18 JUNE 2014, BBC SCIENCE   
      
      
      
   http://www.bbc.com/news/health-30272239   
      
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