Charity Calls For Better Dementia Care

Dementia patients in Scotland require better quality care and earlier than they are currently receiving it, according to a charity.

Marie Curie, which supports people with terminal illnesses, said confusion and memory loss in patients is often dismissed as regular signs of ageing.

A new report by the charity highlights what it describes as inadequate care for sufferers of dementia compared to other illnesses and calls on the Scottish Government to collect data in order to get a clear national picture of how care is being delivered.

It says some healthcare professionals fail to recognise dementia as a terminal condition and just 20% of those with possible dementia are identified as requiring palliative care compared to 75% of those with cancer.

An estimated 88,000 people in Scotland have dementia and an ageing population means the figure is expected to double by 2031, according to the charity.

Richard Meade, head of policy in Scotland, said: "Many people with dementia who are coming to the end of their lives do not get the care that they need.

"People dying with dementia have very specific and different needs to those with other conditions, such as cancer.

"The Scottish Government and its partners have made important progress with the first two dementia strategies but there remain a number of barriers that are preventing patients from getting the support that they need.

"Ensuring that all people at the end of life that need palliative care get it, regardless of their diagnosis, must be a priority.

"Unfortunately we cannot see a clear picture of what end-of-life care looks like for someone with dementia as there is no readily available national or local data.

"We urge the Scottish Government to collect and publish robust data to monitor and improve care.''

Marie Curie provides free care for people with terminal illness in their own homes and in its nine UK hospices.