In September 2014, a survey by Alzheimer’s Society (pdf) found that 72% of respondents were living with another medical condition or disability as well as dementia. The range of medical conditions varied considerably, but the most common were arthritis, hearing problems, heart disease or a physical disability.
This emerging awareness is why Skills for Care has published a practical guide for social care teams who work with people living with dementia, who also face other physical conditions.
It’s specifically aimed at leaders and managers to help them develop their teams and has been developed in partnership with nine specialist dementia services who have extensive experience in this area.
The guide includes case studies which look at sensory impairment, holistic care, learning disabilities, long term pain management, mental health and Parkinson’s, alongside dementia.
The teams were keen to share what they’d learned and have recommended tips for other teams to share their learning.
“We believe the guide will provide invaluable support to social care providers. It will enable their teams to more effectively support people with dementia, who also have other conditions’ says James Cross, national lead for dementia, Skills for Care.
The guide can be downloaded free of charge from the Skills for Care website. Paper copies can be ordered by emailing marketing@skillsforcare.org.uk.
Content on this page is produced and controlled by Skills for Care, sponsor of the Guardian Social Care Network leadership, learning and development hub
