SCANDALOUS! DEMENTIA SUFFERERS IN CARE HOME RIP- OFF
DEMENTIA sufferers are failed by the NHS because of shocking standards of care which amount to a “national scandal”, a report says today.
Tens of thousands of patients in care homes are treated like “second class citizens” and robbed of their dignity and self- esteem.
An investigation by the Alzheimer’s Society and Care England reveals that many are left bed- bound, incontinent and sedated because the NHS fails to meet their needs.
Over- stretched doctors can no longer cope with the number of dementia patients and residents in a fifth of homes in England are wrongly charged for services that should be free.
Stretched
Some have to wait months for routine treatments and others are wrongly medicated because GPs cannot meet them in person.
Alzheimer’s Society chief Jeremy Hughes said: “This is a national scandal. In their hour of need people with dementia, who like any other taxpayer have funded the NHS, are paying again to see a GP through their care home fees or being denied timely access to services.
“A care home is a person’s home and health services must treat care homes as vital parts of the community. It’s unacceptable this NHS double standard is leaving people with dementia waiting months for physiotherapy, incontinence and mental health services. They’re robbed of essential care and pain relief, as well as their dignity, self- esteem and independence.”
The Fix Dementia Care report, published today, is based on a survey of care home staff and families. It says: “The NHS is treating many of the 280,000 people with dementia who live in care homes like second- class citizens. People are receiving a second- rate service.”
Martin Green, of Care England, said: “Our research identifi es that many people living with dementia in care homes, and the care staff who are responsible for their care, are being all but abandoned.”
Hilda Hayo, of Dementia UK, said: “This report highlights the urgent need for more joined up health and social care, where primary and secondary care service providers work together.”
The report comes as data from the Health and Social Care Information Centre shows one in 132 people – 427,000 – in England have dementia. It affects one in every 23 people aged 65 plus.
An NHS England spokesman said: “The NHS has dramatically increased the number of people with demen- tia who are able to be diagnosed in order to receive early support.
“Care homes have first line responsibility for looking after their residents, with appropriate back- up from the local NHS.”
For the petition urging an end to GP practices charging for services that should be free on the NHS, visit alzheimers. org. uk/ fixcampaign.
DEMENTIA sufferers are unwittingly paying for services that should be free and being treated as “second class citizens”, according to a damning new report from the Alzheimer’s Society and Care England.
The challenges posed by dementia are twofold: we must find a cure and in the meantime we must discover better ways of ensuring that the lives of sufferers are as safe, comfortable and enjoyable as possible. For all the good work done by so many dedicated and selfless people, dementia sufferers are often not being treated with the respect they deserve.
There is no easy answer but the NHS needs to lead the way in providing exemplary standards of care.