EDGE Services Newsletter March 2018

A Third Of Those With
Dementia Missing Out
On Care
It is NHS policy that all those with a diagnosis of
dementia should receive an annually-reviewed
individual care plan but one of the UK’s leading
charities, Age UK, reports that in excess of a third of
those in England with such a diagnosis are failing to
receive the care which they are due. Of the over-450
000 people so entitled significantly less than 300 000
had received either a new care plan or a review in the
year to November 2017.
Such care plans, the charity states, are “the gateway
to follow-up support from the NHS” and are designed
to offer support and adapt as the condition progresses.
And, with the number of those with dementia expected
to top a million within seven years, the current issues
threaten the likelihood that people will be able to
continue to thrive in the community as their condition
deteriorates.
“Our analysis suggests,” Age UK’s charity director,
Caroline Abrahams, told The Guardian, “that many
people with dementia are losing out on the NHS followup
support they need and are supposed always to be
offered, once they have received their diagnosis.” She
went on, “As a result, they and their loved ones are
missing precious opportunities to get help with living
as well as possible with the disease. The absence
of a care plan also means that people with dementia
are not being signposted to services that really could
improve their physical and mental health, and sense of
wellbeing.”
The charity went on to say that services offering
support are of insufficient quality amidst concerns that
the Government are failing to live up to Prime Minister
Theresa May’ promises to enhance the “quality of
post-diagnosis treatment and support for people with
dementia and their carers.” Age UK’s report, however,
suggests a range of actions which could yet play a
significant role in the implementation of individual care
plans such as specialist nurses, counselling and both
horticultural or dance therapy. The report’s author,
Kate Jopling, said that it, “sets out what people with
dementia want, what’s been tried elsewhere, what
evidence there is that it works.”
Responding to Age UK’s claims of a shortfall in the
implementation of care plans, a spokeswoman for the
Department of Health and Social Care said, “We want
to make this the best country in the world for dementia
care and we therefore expect everyone with dementia
to have a personalised care plan. NHS England data
shows that over the last two years, more people with
dementia are getting better access to support.”
Spring 2018 Newsletter 9
Blue Monday Trivialises Depression
Blue Monday is traditionally thought to be ‘the most
depressing day of the year’ - a day when people are
feeling flat after Christmas, have racked up some debt
over the festive season, or, are simply fed up with bad
weather and long, dark evenings.
But mental health charities and campaigners say this
feeling of being generally low happens for many people
at the beginning of the year, and doesn’t necessarily
mean they are suffering from depression.
Stephen Buckley, head of information at the charity,
Mind, said: “There is no credible evidence to suggest
that one day in particular can increase the risk of people
feeling depressed and suggesting as such contributes
to damaging misconceptions about depression,
trivialising a potentially life-threatening illness.
“One in six people will experience depression during
their life. It can be extremely debilitating with common
symptoms including feeling down, empty or numb,
having no self-esteem, finding no pleasure in the things
you usually enjoy or experiencing suicidal thoughts.
“There are certain things that may contribute to
people feeling down at this time of year, such as
post-Christmas financial strains, broken New Year’s
resolutions, bad weather and short daylight hours.
However, depression is not just a one-day event and
can happen at any time.”
Mental health charities have grown more vocal in recent
years about Blue Monday being used as a means
of highlighting depression, because it trivialises the
struggle that many depressed people experience daily.
It also compounds the stereotype that depression isn’t
very serious; that it is something which individuals
should or even can just ‘snap out of’. The statistics for
depression in the UK paints a very different picture.
Mr Buckley said: “One in four of us will experience a
mental health problem in any given year, which can
occur at any time for a number of reasons.”
Mr Buckley has advice for anyone who has serious
concerns about feeling low, depressed or their mental
health in general. He said: “If you are concerned about
yourself or a loved one then seeking support is one of
the most important things you can do.
“Our website has information on depression including
tips for helping yourself and guidance for friends and
family. You might also find it helpful to talk to your
GP, who can give you further information and discuss
treatment options.
“Going to see your GP might seem daunting but it could
be the first step to getting the help and support that’s
right for you.”
Mind has also produced a guide to help people speak
to their GP about mental health. You can visit mind.org.
uk/findthewords or call the Mind Infoline on 0300 123
3393 for more information.
www.edgeservices.co.uk
01904 677853