study

Overview

Increasingly, health and social care practitioners are involved in aspects of dementia care for which they have limited knowledge, skills and experience. It is no longer appropriate to view these complex conditions as ‘afflictions’ of old age. Increasingly, support and care are needed by individuals with a dementia related to HIV/AIDS, alcoholism, Parkinson’s disease, injury or prolonged metabolic disturbances, suggesting that the age range of those requiring services includes people under pensionable age as well as those in later life, as well as a diverse range of caregivers.

The 2009 National Dementia Strategy highlights that practitioners and the population at large need to be aware of the reality of dementia, introducing timely and appropriate diagnostic approaches and interventions in the early stages to preserve abilities, preparing for support as the disorder progresses and planning well thought out palliative and end of life care.