Primary care holds the key to raising quality of dementia patients' lives: New campaign launches to tackle dementia stigma and drive concerned people to consult their GP
In recent years dementia has fallen into the healthcare spotlight and will remain there for some time as our ageing population continues to grow and, as a result, the number of people with dementia rises.
This increase in the number of people with dementia is also due to the ability to better diagnose the disorder – although England's diagnosis rate remains quite low at 42%, on average.
Without a diagnosis as a starting point, people are denied access to support, help and potential treatments that can help them live well with dementia.
Timely diagnosis requires a committed focus, and so a new Department of Health awareness campaign, supported by the Alzheimer's Society, starts this month.
The campaign, a key part of the National Dementia Strategy and the prime minister's challenge on dementia, aims to raise awareness of the symptoms and encourage individuals to discuss any concerns with their GP.
Nobody knows patients and their carers better than their own GP, and as the first point of contact for people concerned about themselves or a family member colleagues in primary care are the conduits to the best possible treatment and care.
It is essential for everyone in primary care to be informed about, and interested in, dementia and, importantly, to be aware of the help on offer by local services, such as memory clinics, that is available.
So why is the diagnosis rate still relatively low? What is preventing people from receiving a timely diagnosis?
Barriers conjured in society may be part of the answer. These include the stigma around dementia that prevents open discussion; the misunderstanding that memory problems are part of normal ageing; and the false belief that nothing can be done for those with dementia given that there is currently no cure.
To counter these societal barriers we must better equip people with the knowledge that can help them or someone they know to unlock the quality care on offer.
We know from research that half of people would find it hard to talk about dementia to a friend or family member they thought might have the disorder.
A third of people said personal concerns – a fear of upsetting someone or feeling awkward or anxious – would discourage them from talking about dementia or memory loss with a friend or family member.
The new campaign will address these issues by improving awareness of the symptoms of dementia, conveying the fact that it is possible to live well with dementia and reinforcing that help and support is available.
The Alzheimer's Society has also published tips on starting a conversation about the disease, that can be used to signpost worried carers and family members as well.
Primary care has a key role to play in improving the quality of life for people affected by dementia and raising standards of care. The first step towards this is a timely diagnosis, then patients and carers can access the help and support they need.
Huge strides have been taken in primary care to reduce the number of people with dementia receiving antipsychotic medication in recent years, and I am confident that other significant improvements in care can be made in the not too distant future.
The challenge posed is significant but improving communication about and around the disease is a vital next step society must take.
The trusted role of GPs in society must not be overlooked; as the public grows more confident in addressing this taboo, so will clinical colleagues in primary care.
Professor Alistair Burns is the national clinical director for dementia. Guardian Professional.
In recent years dementia has fallen into the healthcare spotlight and will remain there for some time as our ageing population continues to grow and, as a result, the number of people with dementia rises.
This increase in the number of people with dementia is also due to the ability to better diagnose the disorder – although England's diagnosis rate remains quite low at 42%, on average.
Without a diagnosis as a starting point, people are denied access to support, help and potential treatments that can help them live well with dementia.
Timely diagnosis requires a committed focus, and so a new Department of Health awareness campaign, supported by the Alzheimer's Society, starts this month.
The campaign, a key part of the National Dementia Strategy and the prime minister's challenge on dementia, aims to raise awareness of the symptoms and encourage individuals to discuss any concerns with their GP.
Nobody knows patients and their carers better than their own GP, and as the first point of contact for people concerned about themselves or a family member colleagues in primary care are the conduits to the best possible treatment and care.
It is essential for everyone in primary care to be informed about, and interested in, dementia and, importantly, to be aware of the help on offer by local services, such as memory clinics, that is available.
So why is the diagnosis rate still relatively low? What is preventing people from receiving a timely diagnosis?
Barriers conjured in society may be part of the answer. These include the stigma around dementia that prevents open discussion; the misunderstanding that memory problems are part of normal ageing; and the false belief that nothing can be done for those with dementia given that there is currently no cure.
To counter these societal barriers we must better equip people with the knowledge that can help them or someone they know to unlock the quality care on offer.
We know from research that half of people would find it hard to talk about dementia to a friend or family member they thought might have the disorder.
A third of people said personal concerns – a fear of upsetting someone or feeling awkward or anxious – would discourage them from talking about dementia or memory loss with a friend or family member.
The new campaign will address these issues by improving awareness of the symptoms of dementia, conveying the fact that it is possible to live well with dementia and reinforcing that help and support is available.
The Alzheimer's Society has also published tips on starting a conversation about the disease, that can be used to signpost worried carers and family members as well.
Primary care has a key role to play in improving the quality of life for people affected by dementia and raising standards of care. The first step towards this is a timely diagnosis, then patients and carers can access the help and support they need.
Huge strides have been taken in primary care to reduce the number of people with dementia receiving antipsychotic medication in recent years, and I am confident that other significant improvements in care can be made in the not too distant future.
The challenge posed is significant but improving communication about and around the disease is a vital next step society must take.
The trusted role of GPs in society must not be overlooked; as the public grows more confident in addressing this taboo, so will clinical colleagues in primary care.
Professor Alistair Burns is the national clinical director for dementia. Guardian Professional.
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