People with learning disabilities - who are five times more likely than
the general population to develop dementia - do not always have access to
appropriate health and social care services, a new report has warned today.
A partnership of voluntary sector
organisations have launched a new report calling for the early diagnosis of
dementia in people with learning disabilities.
It also calls for improvements in
policy and research in relation to people with learning disabilities and
dementia.
Alzheimer’s Society chief executive,
Jeremy Hughes, said: ‘We know that a timely diagnosis is essential for anyone
who has dementia. For people with a learning disability, who are at higher risk
of developing dementia at a much younger age, there is an even greater need and
services have a responsibility to develop their knowledge and awareness of
dementia to ensure they can recognise it, diagnose it and put in place the
support and services that people with learning disabilities and their families
have a right to expect in order to help them live well.’
Executive director of the National
Care Forum, Vic Rayner, added: ‘It is critical that we broaden our
understanding of how dementia affects people with learning disabilities, and
this report provides valuable insight into the importance of existing and
future research in this area.
'In addition, it provides a vital
contribution to helping understand how delivery can be developed to offer more
appropriate and effective support.’
The partnership of organisations
include VODG (Voluntary Organisations Disability Group), Alzheimer’s Society,
Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities, MacIntyre and the National
Care Forum (NCF).
SOURCE: localgov, Laura Sharman
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