Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Ulster Trust in major dementia care boost
Doc’s model helps raise understanding System adopted by NHS bosses in England
A HEALTH authority is helping to revolutionise dementia treatment across the country.
CLEAR Dementia Care aims to improve understanding of those with the condition and has dramatically cut hospital admissions. It was developed in the Northern Health Trust and is already being used in two NHS authorities in Avon & Wiltshire and Devon. Clinical psychologist Dr Frances Duffy said the son of one person who underwent the programme declared: “I got my dad back.” She added: “The fact people take the trouble to write and say something kind in a society where we are very good at complaining says it all.” Dr Duffy designed and tested her Look At All of Me model over 18 months. It has trained staff in 100 care homes in the Northern Trust to help them understand challenging behaviour when people they are looking after become distressed. Dr Duffy said her programme had meant people were able to stay where they are and reduced further burdens on hospitals. She added: “We can reduce the distress to families, the amount of complaints we get.” Her team monitors people over a period to detect patterns. The doctor said: “We can see what is happening much more quickly and offer solutions more quickly, reduce distress much more quickly.” The scheme records what time of day a person is aggressive, sleeping, incontinent or pacing. She explained: “Imagine if someone you don’t know very well came into your room and pulled back the blanket on your bed? “Of course, you would feel agitated and may come across as aggressive.” The scheme is expected to be used more widely in Northern Ireland. With an ageing population, increasing numbers live with dementia. Around 5% of over-65s are expected to develop it and a fifth of those over the age of 80 have it. Dr Duffy added: “The person with dementia has the same needs as all of us but may have difficulty telling us what they need. “When staff, carers and the community understand the perspective of the sufferer this has a positive impact on their interaction and quality of life.”