The term ‘dementia’ can be worrying to hear, especially in relation to you or a loved one. As a progressive disease, dementia causes irreparable damage to the brain, memory and cognition. With dementia rates rising in the UK and globally, it’s more important than ever for the care industry to adapt and keep up.
Today, we’ll explore how the industry can adjust to ensure the standard of care remains as high as possible for individuals with dementia and their families.
Are Dementia Rates on the Rise?
Every year, more people are diagnosed with dementia. Moreover, individuals experience symptoms without getting a formal diagnosis. According to Alzheimer’s Society, dementia was the leading cause of death in the UK in 2024, with around one million people living with a form of dementia today.
Previously, research had predicted dementia cases would increase from 0.77 million in 2016 to 1.2 million in 2040. However, new research suggests that this figure could be as high as 1.7 million. This exponential increase means the need for excellent dementia care is more paramount than ever.
How We Can Make Dementia a Priority in the Care Industry
With so many people experiencing dementia symptoms in the UK, it’s more important than ever to ensure this disease is treated as a priority in care plans. Many experts consider dementia to be one of the most urgent health and social care issues of our time.
Here are key strategies for adaptation in the care industry:
Prioritising Early and Accurate Diagnosis
Dementia is a progressive disease; therefore, the earlier it can be detected, the quicker treatment and management plans can be created. To prioritise early diagnosis, healthcare workers can:
- Empower primary care: Involving non-specialist primary care staff in diagnosis can increase capacity, thereby accelerating the process. This is essential when considering NHS wait times for specialist appointments.
- Streamline referral pathways: Improving and simplifying referral processes to specialist memory clinics and diagnostic services can shorten waiting times. This helps ensure timely intervention, obtaining individualised care plans during the early stages, and helping you come to terms with a diagnosis.
- Raise awareness: Thousands of people are currently living in the UK with dementia, but without a formal diagnosis. Public awareness campaigns can help reduce the stigma surrounding the disease and encourage people to seek medical treatment earlier when they notice symptoms.
2. Strengthening Integrated and Person-Centred Care
People with dementia often need a form of care as their symptoms progress. Focusing on providing person-centred care rather than support that only focuses on ‘typical’ dementia symptoms can ensure that everyone gets the correct level of care they require and deserve.
Here’s how the care system can implement adaptation strategies to move towards person-centred care in more settings:
- Develop clear care pathways: Carers should establish structured, organised approaches that define their roles and responsibilities. These should also outline what’s expected of social carers and healthcare professionals to ensure care is delivered with cohesion and a consistently high standard.
- Implement case managers and dementia navigators: Individuals in the care industry should aim to introduce these specific roles to better guide individuals and their families through the complexities of a dementia diagnosis and its associated challenges. This fosters a seamless experience where individuals feel heard and valued.
- Provide holistic support: Care plans need to address both health and social needs to deliver a well-rounded view of each individualised case. This should include physiotherapy, personal care and social activities, not just medical treatment.
3. Investing in Paid and Unpaid Carers
Carers are the driving force behind the care industry, and they’re essential for the industry to keep up with the ever-changing needs of dementia. To invest in paid and unpaid carers, the industry should:
- Mandatory, high-quality training: Mandatory, funded dementia-specific training should be implemented for all care staff across different settings, including hospitals, care homes and communities. This will enhance skills and knowledge, as well as improve the quality of care.
- Support for unpaid carers: The industry should acknowledge the essential role of family and friends in dementia care, ensuring that they have access to needs assessments, education, support groups and sufficient respite care options to support their own well-being.
- Address staff shortages: Care homes and agencies need to implement long-term workforce strategies with fair and clear career progression to recruit and retain skilled staff, rather than increasing staff turnover due to a lack of support.
Utilising Technology and Adapting Environments
Technology can work wonders in the healthcare sector, particularly in facilitating quick diagnoses for both common and rare symptoms.
The care industry may be able to adapt to rising rates by:
- Using assistive technology: Professional carers or loved ones can introduce dementia-friendly technology, such as automated pill dispensers, GPS trackers and virtual assistants, to promote independence and enhance safety in the home for individuals at risk of developing dementia. Smart home sensors, such as those for fall detection and automated lighting, can also work effectively.
- Promote digital health: Telehealth platforms can be expanded to include remote consultations and support for carers, which can directly benefit individuals living with dementia in rural or underserved communities.
- Create dementia-friendly environments: Adapting the physical environment in care homes, hospitals, and patients’ homes can reduce confusion and agitation, reducing the severity of symptoms. A dementia-friendly home can be created using clear signage, calming colours and securing outdoor spaces.
Read more about creating a dementia-friendly home in our room-by-room guide.
Are Private Carers the Way Forward?
When considering care options, many families still believe that care homes are the only option for individuals with dementia. However, with dementia rates rising and a limited number of care home spaces available, alternative options are needed to accommodate everyone. Private carers are a significant part of the solution.
Private home carers, such as those from Country Cousins, can provide:
- Personalised support: Private care enables tailored, one-on-one support that considers individual needs, preferences, and history, which is essential for managing dementia symptoms.
- Care at home: The ability to remain at home is incredibly important for individuals with dementia as it reduces stress, confusion and agitation.
- Flexibility and choice: Private services offer flexible care plans and a choice of carers, helping you find a good match for your personality and family dynamic.
- Reduced pressure on family: By offering professional support, private carers can alleviate some of the significant physical and emotional strain placed on family members, who may currently provide the bulk of dementia care.
- Fostered independence: Live-in home carers often have more time to spend with clients, meaning more time to foster independence rather than taking over and doing things for them, which can boost dignity and quality of life.
- Better value for money: Some families find home care to be more affordable, especially for couple care. One-on-one care also means you’re getting more value for your money.
How Country Cousins Is Adapting to Rising Dementia Rates
At Country Cousins, we take pride in providing bespoke, live-in dementia care for our clients in the comfort of home. Our fully trained, compassionate carers are experienced in all types of dementia, ensuring our standard of care is unmatched in the industry.
Our carers utilise person-centred care, sitting down with you and your family to create an individualised care plan that works to your exact needs and expectations. This will be used as a living document, adapting every so often as symptoms evolve.
We’re passionate about helping families overcome the challenges that dementia brings. Whether you require short-term respite care to take the burden away temporarily or ongoing live-in dementia care for a loved one, we will work with you to create the perfect schedule.
Talk to Our Team Today
As the UK’s longest-serving introductory live-in care agency, we have been providing compassionate live-in care to those who need it since 1959 – all from the comfort of their own homes.
Give us a call today on 01293 224 706. Our experienced team is on hand to help from Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm. Alternatively, contact us through our online enquiry form.
