Dementia (health and wellbeing needs in South Tyneside)

From a starting point of an expected long-term increase in dementia, with people living longer and small numbers of people with of EOSD, priorities include:

Promoting independence / access to information 

Improved access to pre and post diagnostic information will help prevent, reduce, and delay need, maximising independence for all, irrespective of their level of need.

Better signage and visual cues in public buildings would also help independence.

Carers, with no earlier contact with dementia services, highlighted the need for help to access support.

Raising awareness 

Joint working across the health and social care system would help to better promote dementia awareness.

There is a need to educate the community that dementia is not a natural part of ageing.

Supporting carers  

Ensuring carers can access the support they need to help address issues such as loneliness and isolation and help reduce carer breakdown.

Carers can have multiple responsibilities within the family, which can add to stress and exhaustion.

Physical and mental health

Encourage local people (and carers) to seek post diagnosis support for their physical and mental health needs, by accessing Health Checks in Primary Care, particularly in deprived communities, where lifestyle factors may increase the risk of dementia.

There is also a need to continue to encourage older people with depression to access Talking Therapies.

Enhanced partnership working 

Improving communication and collaboration between services to enhance the existing offer and the value of the South Tyneside Pound.

Workforce development

Ensure the current and future workforce is suitably trained and promote volunteering as a stepping stone to working in social care.

Encouraging innovation 

Examine how innovation in technology, housing, and alternative financial models, can enhance the support available.

Home care

Support people at home, including the use of domiciliary care.

Consider increased use of the third sector to provide this and greater use of technology.

Reduce demand on care homes, by ensuring that community-based provision is available to support discharge.

Palliative care 

Consider the use of multi-disciplinary teams to support palliative care, again including domiciliary care.

People should be supported to die in a location of their choosing.