Why it's important to review the care of people with dementia

Healthwatch England reviewed the feedback it received about the care of people with dementia and local council data about whether people's needs are being assessed and reviewed.

Fewer than half of all people with dementia who use social care are getting the regular care reviews they are entitled to.  Only half of those using social care services received a planned review and this was even lower for people with dementia.

One quarter of people with dementia had an unplanned review last year due to an emergency or a sudden change in circumstances.

65% of people with dementia who had a review were referred for a full reassessment. However half of these reassessments led to no change in the level of care and support.  This may suggest that professionals are either inconsistently interpreting the eligibility criteria or incorrectly referring people for a reassessment.