| Dementia, Alzheimers, Huntingtons | |
| What is Dementia? | The term 'Dementia' is used to describe a progressive decline in a persons' ability to remember, think and reason. It is a condition most commonly associated with 'growing old' and it can be caused by a number of things which result in the death of brain cells in critical areas of the brain. CIC is developing a specialist model for providing residential services to meet the needs of two specific groups of people, affected by dementia but who are affected much earlier on in life Young Onset Dementia and Huntington's disease.
| Working Age Dementia
Dementia can affect younger adults (under 65 years of age) and whilst it is still rare, it is increasingly being recognised as an important medical and social issue. Causes of dementia in younger adults are often similar to those affecting older people. However the needs of this group of people are very different it raises issues relating to employment, young dependent families, relationships and financial difficulties. For this reason Young Onset dementia is now often referred to as 'Working Age Dementia'. | |
| What is Huntington's disease? | |
Huntington's disease (HD) is recognised typically as being a dementia which occurs before the age of 65 years, shares similar characteristics to other causes of dementia but it also has unique features. HD has a genetic - or inherited - cause, which affects both males and females equally; there is a 50% chance of every child born to an affected parent also being affected. As with other causes of dementia, it is a progressive disease and a particular characteristic is the effect that it has upon neurological functions - resulting in speech and swallowing difficulties and inability to control body movements.
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| What can we offer? | CIC recognises the uniqueness of the needs of people affected by Working Age Dementia and Huntington's disease, and their families. CIC takes a flexible approach in establishing services for individuals affected. We work in partnership with local specialist services including PCTs and national organisations. We recognise that high quality services need well-designed physical environments. Time has been spent researching and designing an environment that that will facilitate a broader range of care options - this is essential in providing care that reflects the long term and progressive nature of Young onset dementia and Huntington's disease. CIC, is working with our partners in health and social services to develop a clear pathway of referral for individuals which ensures continuity of care and a person centred approach. | |
| Continuing care and complex needs | |
The National Health Service has a responsibility to fully fund care for those people who, due to their unstable or unpredictable condition or complex needs, are at risk and therefore require frequent nursing/medical intervention.
CIC currently works in partnership with local PCTs to commission and provide services to meet the needs of individuals who have complex needs, due to their physical and/or mental health condition. In each service across the Older Peoples Services Division we provide a skill mix of Registered Nurses and support staff with the appropriate skills, knowledge and experience to create a care environment that is supportive and person centred. Staff teams are encouraged to recognise the value of multi-agency working to maximise opportunities to improve quality of life and care delivery.
Accommodation and the care environment meet the requirements of relevant service standards and are planned to promote a 'quality' life. Careful consideration is given to the use of colour schemes and lighting to aid orientation and spatial awareness; assistive technology is incorporated to promote independence and the right to take risks; communal and personal space is flexible enough to respect privacy and dignity and be conducive to receiving visitors and generally socialising. Specialist equipment needs are provided for on an on-going basis.
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