Dementia Partnerships
European Network on Independent Living, December newsletter
The December 2010 edition of the European Network on Independent Living newsletter is available to download from the ENIL website. Read more »
What's new
Commissioning pack for dementia
The commissioning pack aims to provide straightforward, practical guidance for commissioners on dementia care. Read more »
Progress of the South Gloucestershire Primary Care Dementia and Mental Health Liaison Service
A report on the progress of the service which aims to improve recognition and treatment of Dementia and other Mental Health problems in South Gloucestershire. Read more »
Guidance on the commissioning of memory assessment services
This guidance sets out specifications for a specialist memory assessment service for people with a possible or suspected diagnosis of dementia. Read more »
Findings from the National Audit of Dementia Care in General Hospitals
The Royal College of Psychiatrists has published a critical report providing the preliminary findings from their National Audit of Dementia Care in General Hospitals. Read more »
Psychotropic medicine management for people in care homes with dementia
This guidance aims to support the safe management of psychotropic medicines in Norfolk care homes particularly when given to residents to assist in managing their psychological agitation. Read more »
Audit of antipsychotic therapy in dementia patients in Hampshire
This audit of antipsychotic therapy in patients with dementia was undertaken by NHS Hampshire to ensure it is safe and complies with local guidance. Read more »
Prescribing review: Acetyl Cholinesterase inhibitors
This audit was undertaken by North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust to establish compliance with NICE Technology Appraisal Guidance 111 on the use of donepezil, galantamine and rivastigmine for the treatment of mild to moderately severe Alzheimer’s disease. Read more »
SCIE dementia e-learning programme
The dementia e-learning programme, produced by the Social Care Institute for Excellence, is suitable for both health and social care staff and carers. Read more »
CQC to scan Twitter for care complaints
A recent article in the Health Service Journal reveals that the Care Quality Commission is working on an IT system to monitor social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter for complaints about care homes and healthcare providers. Read more »
Recognised, valued and supported: next steps for the Carers Strategy
Next steps for the Carers strategy identifies actions to support its priorities to ensure the best possible outcomes for carers and those they support. Read more »
Improving the prescribing of antipsychotic drugs for people with dementia
Sir Ian Carruthers, Chief Executive of NHS South West and Jeremy Hughes, Chief Executive of the Alzheimer’s Society recently wrote to SHA Chief Executives to invite their participation in work to accelerate improvements in local practice in prescribing antipsychotic drugs for people with dementia, which will be funded by the Department of Health. Read more »
Care homes newsletter, issue 8, November 2010
Details on the November issue of the care homes newsletter from the National Dementia Strategy Implementation Team. This issue focuses on intermediate care and reablement for people with dementia living in care homes. Read more »
Housing our Ageing Population Panel for Innovation report
This report includes creative proposals to help ensure that future housing will create sustainable and inclusive homes and neighbourhoods which our ageing population want and can afford to live in. Read more »
Quality markers and measures for end of life care
The end of life care quality markers provide detailed structure and process markers and measures which will be relevant for end of life care for people with dementia. Read more »
Improving quality of care for people with dementia in general hospitals
This guide outlines key factors which can improve the quality of care for people with dementia in general hospitals. Read more »
Community support services for people with dementia: the relative costs and benefits of specialist and generic domiciliary care services
This paper provides information on the economic and individual outcomes evidence for the efficacy of different models of community support to people with dementia|and to find out whether it is more cost effective to provide specialist or generic domiciliary care services for people with dementia. Read more »
Dementia 2010: the economic burden of dementia and associated research funding in the United Kingdom
The Alzheimer’s Research Trust commissioned this study to calculate the costs of dementia in terms of health services, social services, unpaid carers, premature mortality and absence from work. Read more »
Dementia link workers countywide forum
The second Countywide Forum for Dementia Link Workers, who have achieved the Dementia Link Worker Award in Gloucestershire, took place on 23rd November at Gloucester Guildhall. Read more »
Brain Waves, issue 32
The November 2010 edition of the Brain Waves newsletter, produced by Innovations in Dementia, includes features on: Gardening and allotments; Mental Capacity Act; Dementia capable communities Read more »
Singing for the Brain wins £49,000 of funding
The Alzheimer’s Society’s Singing for the Brain service has won £49,000 from the Big Lottery People’s Millions to develop more singing groups across Devon and Cornwall. Read more »
Care home sets up 1950s room for Alzheimer's patients
Coombe End Court care home in Wiltshire has created a ‘time warp’ room that contains features from the 1950s to help aid the memories of Alzheimer’s patients. Read more »
A consultation on proposals – Transparency in outcomes: a framework for adult social care
Alongside the Social Care Vision, the Department of Health has launched Transparency in Outcomes: a framework for adult social care – a consultation on a new strategic approach to quality and outcomes in adult social care. Read more »
Evaluation of the Leadership Qualities Framework 360 review process
This report evaluates of the impact the Leadership Qualities Framework 360 review process on the individual, the organisation and the wider NHS. Read more »
National Leadership Council emerging leaders survey
This survey was conducted to gather opinions and beliefs relating to emerging leadership development from a wide range of individuals within the NHS. Read more »
A vision for adult social care
Future plans for adult social care services have been published in A Vision for Adult Social Care: Capable Communities and Active Citizens. Read more »
New guidance on managing risk for people with dementia
Nothing ventured, nothing gained provides guidance on best practice in assessing, managing and enabling risk for people living with dementia. Read more »
Practical approaches to market shaping and provider development
This briefing explores what is meant by market shaping and proposes a simple framework for understanding and planning market development for councils and their partners. It is intended to support the wider application of best practice models and approaches by local commissioners and providers of social care in both the third and independent sectors. It… Read more »
Could People’s Millions lead to more Singing for the Brain
Alzheimer’s Societys’ Singing for the Brain has been shortlisted for the People’s Millions and if successful plans to develop eight more Singing for the Brain groups across Devon and Cornwall. Read more »
Live from the UK Dementia Congress
We’re tweeting updates live from the 5th UK Dementia Congress in Bournemouth. Read more »
Big changes on Musgrove's Sedgemoor Ward
Plans have been unveiled at Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton for an innovative make-over of Sedgemoor – an acute medical ward for older people. Read more »
Living well with dementia bulletin, Issue 3, October 2010
The third issue of the Living Well with Dementia bulletin provides features on achievements in implementing the National Dementia Strategy across the South West of England. This includes work to raise awareness, improving early diagnosis and early intervention, delivering better dementia care in general hospitals and care homes and developing an informed and effective workforce for people with dementia. Read more »
Gloucestershire Living Well Handbook
The Living Well Handbook has been developed to allow people living with dementia to communicate their likes, dislikes, medical and lifestyle needs to carers and healthcare staff. Read more »
Assisted Living Action Network seminars
The Assisted Living Action Network will be holding a series of four networking seminars over the next year to discuss the key issues, challenges and opportunities in the assisted living technology market. Read more »
Care homes newsletter, issue 7, October 2010
Details on the October issue of the care homes newsletter from the National Dementia Strategy Implementation Team. This issue focuses on end of life care for people with dementia living in care homes. Read more »
Launch of the National Dementia Declaration
Minister Paul Burstow recently launched the National Dementia Declaration, alongside Ruth Sutherland, CEO of the Alzheimer’s Society, at the Department of Health conference Improving Dementia Care. Read more »
Care towards the end of life for people with dementia: an online resource guide
Provides useful resources and case studies illustrating the delivery of high quality end of life care that meets the special requirements of people with dementia and their families. Read more »
Brain Waves, issue 31
The October 2010 edition of the Brain Waves newsletter, produced by Innovations in Dementia, includes features on: Dementia training; Social work; Assisted Living. Read more »
Calling all knitters – go knit
Seasalt, a Cornwall family-run business, are asking knitters to knit to raise money for Memory Cafes across Devon and Cornwall. Read more »
Straight from the Horsesmouth
Horsesmouth is an informal mentoring website where people with questions can ask people with relevant personal experiences for advice. Read more »
Hospital quiz raises nearly £800 to train nurses in dementia care
The Friends of Yeovil Hospital raised nearly £800 towards training for nurses to support patients with dementia at the annual Chris Parker quiz. Read more »
Inpatient care for people with dementia: implications for person-centred practice
Findings from a research study into nnpatient care for people with dementia have recently been published. Read more »
NICE guidelines propose medications on prescription for people with Alzheimer’s
Proposed guidelines say that hundreds of thousands more patients in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease should receive medications on prescription to lessen their symptoms. Read more »
NICE to launch new online resource for GPs
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence is to launch a new online resource for GPs to help them to make the best use of NICE guidance. Read more »
Local accountability will drive better dementia services
Local organisations will be held to account and expected to publish how they are providing quality care for people with dementia, Care Service Minister Paul Burstow announced recently. Read more »
Worried about your memory?
Alzheimer’s Society has launched its ‘Worried about your memory’ campaign to encourage people worried about their memory to seek help as soon as possible. Read more »
Revised dementia plan
The Government has launched an update of the existing implementation plan for the National Dementia Strategy. Read more »
Dementia brain tour
Made up of nine short sections, the tour features an animated 3D brain accompanied by video commentary from Alzheimer’s Society’s Dr. Anne Corbett, to demonstrate the ways in which dementia can affect the brain. Read more »
Bristol dementia research gets funding boost
The University of Bristol Dementia Research Group has been awarded a grant to research why high blood pressure and strokes can cause brain damage that can lead to dementia. Read more »
World Alzheimer Report 2010: the global ecomonic impact of
dementia
The World Alzheimer Report 2010 provides the clearest, most comprehensive global picture yet of the economic impact of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Read more »