Care provider calls for redirection of dementia funding into earlier diagnosis

A leading care provider has claimed that a ‘no cure no point’ attitude towards dementia has left thousands of people living with dementia unsupported.

Barry Sweetbaum, managing director of SweetTree Home Care Services, has called for a redirection of dementia funding to earlier in the care pathway to better support individuals facing the disease.

Championing the importance of early diagnosis for dementia, Mr Sweetbaum said: “Too many people, both members of the public and professionals alike, feel that confusion is an inevitable part of growing older and since there is no cure for dementia, that a diagnosis is meaningless.”

It is thought less than half of those living with dementia have received a formal diagnosis, and the NHS has a goal to drive up diagnosis rates by 20 per cent by 2015.

Maizie Mears-Owen, head of dementia at Care UK, said: “It is worrying that people are potentially missing out on support and advice that can help them to live better with this condition because they cannot get access to an assessment. “This was a key strand of the government’s dementia strategy and I hope there will be a focus on the need to cut waiting lists quickly. We also need more research to understand whether some people’s concerns about the so-called ‘false-negative’ early diagnosis are justified.”

Jeremy Hughes, Alzheimer’s Society chief executive, said: "Only 42 per cent of people receive a diagnosis. Yet, a diagnosis of dementia can open doors.

"It can give people access to treatments that have potential to slow the progress of the condition and mean they receive support that can help people live well with the condition.

"People with dementia often tell us that a diagnosis can be a relief, as it helps them to make sense of what they’ve been experiencing and enables them to plan for the future."

Mr Seetbaum continued: “A root cause of undiagnosed dementia is a lack of understanding by frontline care professionals, with regards to the signs of dementia and the importance of early diagnosis.

“What we need is better education for doctors, community nurses and the public at large.

“At the moment huge amounts of money are being misdirected into managing the unnecessary side effects of delayed diagnosis, rather than early diagnosis. This is only adding to the overuse of healthcare services. Many people are also prescribed medications which can help slow down the effects of dementia, but they are receiving them far too late when they have little or no effect.”

It has been estimated that an early assessment of Alzheimer’s could generate £3,600 of savings in healthcare costs per patient.

Mr Sweetbaum concluded: “Investment in research is obviously important but investment in the present and the expansion of existing services has to be the priority.

“We are optimistic that with concerted engagement, education and awareness then substantial improvements in the quality of life of those with dementia and their families are achievable.”