Living with dementia: understanding your experiences of dementia as a patient or as a carer
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Healthwatch Oldham wanted to understand people’s knowledge of dementia both as a patient and a carer. They undertook a survey to which 32 people responded.
Over two thirds stated that they were caring or have cared for someone with dementia. Nearly three quarters were family members.
Over three in five agreed or strongly agreed with the statement “As I get older, I worry about developing dementia”.
Over three quarters agreed or strongly agreed with the statement, “If I was experiencing memory problems I would see my GP”.
Almost all agreed or strongly agreed with the statement “if someone close to me was experiencing memory problems, I would encourage them to see their GP”.
Over half felt that dementia isn’t an age related disease.
Nearly two in five agreed or strongly agreed with the statement “A diagnosis of dementia is like a death sentence”.
Nearly a third agreed or strongly agreed with the statement “There are good health and social services for people with dementia”.
Over half felt that dementia couldn’t be treated.