People’s experiences of living with Dementia in Redcar and Cleveland
Download (PDF 533.69 KB)Summary of report content
In February 2015, the government published the “Prime Minister’s Challenge on Dementia 2020” which focused on boosting research, improving care and raising public awareness about the condition in England.
To find out how Redcar and Cleveland are meeting the challenges set out by the Prime Minister’s Challenge, Healthwatch Middlesborough and Healthwatch Redcare and Cleveland carried out engagement activities with people living with dementia and their carers to gather their views and experiences.
They had the opportunity to speak to individuals and their carers at the following venues:
• Carers Together Support Group, Guisborough
• Clevearc Day Centre
• Dementia training Session, provided by the University of Stirling
• Information & Dementia Session, Eston
• Westmorland Activity and Wellbeing Centre, Redcar
The summary of findings included:
• Patients were experiencing difficulties in accessing the Memory Clinic due to poor signage. Healthwatch were been informed that this will be rectified in the near future.
• Patients were unsure of the role of the Memory Clinic and would benefit from a clear communication of the services provided and what can be offered in their ongoing care. For example, explanation of changes in behaviour and crisis contact details.
• Information provided to those living with dementia and their carers appears to be a key issue, whether that being about their condition, other services that can support them or what is on offer within the community. Having the right information at the right time was important, as well as ensuring that there is consistency on how this is distributed.
• Redcar & Cleveland were not currently a dementia friendly community and those living with dementia and their carers felt that they would be able to have more fulfilling lives if steps were made to rectify this. A dementia friendly community would open up more opportunities without relying on bespoke activities for those with dementia.
The report does not include recommendations or a formal response from the provider.