Dementia: One in six suffer loneliness once diagnosed, finds poll
One in six people suffer loneliness when diagnosed with dementia
The majority of people living with dementia in Wales have reported feeling lonely and suffering with depression and anxiety, according to a new report.
The Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia 2013 report, published today Tues, found that 70% of people with dementia said they had stopped doing things they used to due to a lack of confidence while 63% also felt anxious or depressed.
A third of people said they had lost friends after a diagnosis, while 62% of those who lived on their own said they were lonely.
Meanwhile, 63% of people in Wales said they believed those with dementia have a bad quality of life.
There are now more than 17,000 people diagnosed with the condition in Wales – an increase of 800 people since last year.
The charity is now calling on for appropriate support services to be made available, while urging people and organisations to play their part in helping ensure their communities are dementia friendly.
Sue Phelps, director of Alzheimer’s Society in Wales, said: “This report reveals the stark truth that too many people with dementia, especially the thousands who live alone, are truly isolated.
“We need to put a stop to this epidemic of loneliness, not only to improve quality of life but also to save thousands from reaching crisis point and being admitted to hospital unnecessarily or care homes early.
“The reality is that many people still feel disconnected from society. It’s time for all of us to play a part in helping people with dementia live well with the condition.”
The research also found that people with dementia said they relied on relatives and friends for social contact but 21% said they speak to friends or family on the telephone less than once a month.
Older People’s Commissioner for Wales, Sarah Rochira, said: “The figures published today by the Alzheimer’s Society reflect what many older people from across Wales, as well as their families and those who care for and support them, have told me about the impact that dementia can have on an individual’s quality of life.
“More must be done to ensure that people with dementia have the right help and support, delivered on a timely basis, to remain active and engaged in their communities, which can make such a positive difference to people’s lives.
“There is already much good practice underway in Wales, with a number of excellent schemes, such as volunteer befriending schemes, that play a vital role in helping older people with dementia to maintain their independence and maintain their quality of life.
“As the number of people with dementia will increase in the years ahead, this good practice must be rolled out more widely across Wales, alongside other important initiatives like dementia-friendly communities, to ensure that people with dementia can have the best possible quality of life.”
Age Cymru spokesman Iwan Rhys Roberts said: “With one in three over 65s set to develop some form of dementia over the next 20 years these figures highlight potential areas for improvement in the care that is provided for people who have dementia.
“Age Cymru has long called for a commitment to providing more money for research into the causes of dementia so that this research is proportional to the potential burden of the disease.
“Treatment services must provide a holistic approach and address all the needs of individual patients and attention should also be given to improving public awareness of the symptoms of dementia and reducing the levels of stigma attached to the condition.”
A Welsh Government spokeswoman said: “We have worked in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Society to improve support for people with dementia and their carers, and have focused recent investment on provision and support.
“The development of dementia-friendly communities is a key aim of the Dementia Vision for Wales, which was developed jointly with the Alzheimer’s Society and published in 2011.
“Our work on the development of dementia-friendly communities in Wales will continue to emphasise the availability of information, support and advocacy services, and training for those delivering care to ensure we better recognise and respond to signs and symptoms of mental illness and dementia.
“The Commissioner for Older People has established a new five year Ageing Well in Wales Programme, which will support the Welsh Government Phase 3 Strategy for Older People.
“One of the four areas that the Programme is initially looking at is creating dementia-friendly and supportive communities – five sites in Wales have already committed to action.”
The Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia 2013 report, published today Tues, found that 70% of people with dementia said they had stopped doing things they used to due to a lack of confidence while 63% also felt anxious or depressed.
A third of people said they had lost friends after a diagnosis, while 62% of those who lived on their own said they were lonely.
Meanwhile, 63% of people in Wales said they believed those with dementia have a bad quality of life.
The charity is now calling on for appropriate support services to be made available, while urging people and organisations to play their part in helping ensure their communities are dementia friendly.
Sue Phelps, director of Alzheimer’s Society in Wales, said: “This report reveals the stark truth that too many people with dementia, especially the thousands who live alone, are truly isolated.
“We need to put a stop to this epidemic of loneliness, not only to improve quality of life but also to save thousands from reaching crisis point and being admitted to hospital unnecessarily or care homes early.
“The reality is that many people still feel disconnected from society. It’s time for all of us to play a part in helping people with dementia live well with the condition.”
The research also found that people with dementia said they relied on relatives and friends for social contact but 21% said they speak to friends or family on the telephone less than once a month.
Older People’s Commissioner for Wales, Sarah Rochira, said: “The figures published today by the Alzheimer’s Society reflect what many older people from across Wales, as well as their families and those who care for and support them, have told me about the impact that dementia can have on an individual’s quality of life.
“More must be done to ensure that people with dementia have the right help and support, delivered on a timely basis, to remain active and engaged in their communities, which can make such a positive difference to people’s lives.
“There is already much good practice underway in Wales, with a number of excellent schemes, such as volunteer befriending schemes, that play a vital role in helping older people with dementia to maintain their independence and maintain their quality of life.
“As the number of people with dementia will increase in the years ahead, this good practice must be rolled out more widely across Wales, alongside other important initiatives like dementia-friendly communities, to ensure that people with dementia can have the best possible quality of life.”
Age Cymru spokesman Iwan Rhys Roberts said: “With one in three over 65s set to develop some form of dementia over the next 20 years these figures highlight potential areas for improvement in the care that is provided for people who have dementia.
“Age Cymru has long called for a commitment to providing more money for research into the causes of dementia so that this research is proportional to the potential burden of the disease.
“Treatment services must provide a holistic approach and address all the needs of individual patients and attention should also be given to improving public awareness of the symptoms of dementia and reducing the levels of stigma attached to the condition.”
A Welsh Government spokeswoman said: “We have worked in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Society to improve support for people with dementia and their carers, and have focused recent investment on provision and support.
“The development of dementia-friendly communities is a key aim of the Dementia Vision for Wales, which was developed jointly with the Alzheimer’s Society and published in 2011.
“Our work on the development of dementia-friendly communities in Wales will continue to emphasise the availability of information, support and advocacy services, and training for those delivering care to ensure we better recognise and respond to signs and symptoms of mental illness and dementia.
“The Commissioner for Older People has established a new five year Ageing Well in Wales Programme, which will support the Welsh Government Phase 3 Strategy for Older People.
“One of the four areas that the Programme is initially looking at is creating dementia-friendly and supportive communities – five sites in Wales have already committed to action.”
I have just read this article and I find it to very so very true these days.
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I always say that we may have this illness, but we are all so different.
This is my own daily problems, but I would gladly share anyone elses, if they send them in,