[A version of this item appears in: Dementia: the Latest Evidence Newsletter (RWHT), Volume 2 Issue 10, May 2012].
Summary
This report summarises discussions which took place during a half-day seminar organised by the Social Care Institute for Excellence, ARUP and the Thomas Pocklington Trust in February 2012. These three organisations aim to bring together research, building design and greater awareness off sensory loss in order to facilitate understanding and improvements in the care of people with dementia and sensory loss towards the end of life.
Many people with dementia have some level of sensory loss. Supporting these individuals can be challenging for social care professionals and carers. Dementia and serious sensory loss are often triggers for admission to a care home, and as more people are surviving into older age, the incidence of dual sensory loss is growing. Carers and staff supporting people with dual sensory loss combined with dementia need to be confident they can meet these complex needs. End of life care represents one of their major challenges. Good environmental design can help.
Read more: Thomas Pocklington Trust. Dementia and end of life care: implications for people with sensory loss.
Sections in this report cover social care evidence about people with dementia in care homes at the end of life; sensory loss in people with dementia and sight loss; and better care homes for people with dementia and sight loss. Action points arising from the workshop are presented.
Reference
Cole, A. (2012). Dementia and end of life care: implications for people with sensory loss. Report from a half-day seminar on 7 February 2012, organised by the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE), ARUP and the Thomas Pocklington Trust. London: Social Care Institute for Excellence, April 2012.
