The Fife Dementia Strategy: 2010 – 2020 - The Knowledge Network

Executive Summary
Dementia in Fife
The number of people living with dementia in Fife is set to increase
dramatically over the next 20 years. This is due in part to an aging population,
improved techniques to identify and diagnose dementia earlier than before,
and lifestyle factors. Currently in Fife there is an estimated 5700 people with
dementia. Approximately 63.5% of these people live in their own home in the
community, while the remaining 36.5% live in long term care 1 .
Based on demographic predictions, by 2030 the number of people with
dementia in Fife will nearly double and be an estimated 11000 people.
Services must begin to adapt now to the increasing number of people with
dementia and the shifting culture of care centred on the home and community.
The current cost of health, social care and accommodation for people living in
Fife with dementia is an estimated £88.6 million per year; by 2030 this will
have increased to over £178.7 million per year at today’s prices.
Carers and people with dementia themselves are the experts in caring for and
understanding the individual needs and preferences and must continue to
play a vital role in ensuring a good quality of life. It has been estimated that
the care and support carers provide is worth over £49.8 million per year in Fife
alone.
The National and Local Context
The changing demographics of Scotland, the complexity of dementia and the
impact it has on the individual and their family means that there has been an
increase in the number of policies, guidance, and services being created
surrounding older people and dementia. These mainly focus on joint working
in an effort to provide services which meet the needs of the community,
including people with dementia. A summary of each of the key policies can be
found in Appendix 5. The Strategy has been designed to link into the aims
and objectives of national and local agendas and initiatives including:
• Community Cares Outcome Framework
• Fife Health and Social Care Partnership Service Delivery Plan
• Living & Dying Well – Local Action Plan
• Fife Local Housing Strategy
• Scottish Government – Better Health, Better Care
• Fife Dementia Integrated Care Pathway
• Delivery Framework for Adult Rehabilitation
• Mental Health Collaborative
• Long Term Conditions Collaborative
1 Alzheimer’s Society (2007). Dementia UK.
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