Excerpts From The Ministry Of Health’s Newsletter ‘Grey Matter’

 

Health of Older People

World Alzheimer Report 2015: the global impact of dementia

“The 2015 World Alzheimer Report updates data on the prevalence, incidence, cost and trends of dementia worldwide. It also estimates how these numbers will increase in the future, leaving us with no doubt that dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease and other causes, is one of the biggest global public health and social care challenges facing people today and in the future.” Source: Alzheimer’s Disease International

 

Establishing and implementing best practice to reduce unplanned admissions in those aged 85 years and over through system change [Establishing System Change for Admissions of People 85+ (ESCAPE 85+)]: a mixed-methods case study approach

 

“Sites that had been successful in reducing admissions had done so by providing alternatives to short-stay admissions, including better-developed community services which worked closely with each other, the hospital and general practitioner services. These sites had fewer problems with access to general practitioner services and less pressure on emergency departments. They had also been more successful in developing strategies to include a full range of health- and social care organisations and, most importantly, had consistent, strong leadership and shared values.” Source: National Institute for Health Research

How can we make our cities dementia friendly? Sharing the learning from Bradford and York

“Dementia friendly communities (DFCs) aim to be accessible, inclusive, welcoming and supportive to those affected by dementia, enabling them to contribute to, and participate in, mainstream society. More than 80 places across the UK are now working towards becoming more dementia friendly, with similar movements gaining ground overseas. York and Bradford – two very different Yorkshire cities – are among those leading the field. This paper contributes to the emerging evidence base by drawing out the key messages from independent evaluations of their DFC programmes.” Source: Joseph Rowntree Foundation

On the journey to becoming a dementia friendly organisation – Sharing the learning for employers and organisations

“A lack of understanding or confidence can prevent organisations and employers from responding positively to people affected by dementia. Organisations that are dementia friendly recognise and address the impact of dementia on staff and their families.” Source: Joseph Rowntree Foundation

Developing a national user movement of people with dementia – Learning from the dementia engagement and empowerment project (DEEP)

“Although the voices of people with dementia are increasingly heard, the user movement is still in its infancy. By connecting local groups and individual activists through a national network (DEEP) that engages and empowers people with dementia, people are beginning to work together to set priorities about dementia and to shape political agendas.” Source: Joseph Rowntree Foundation

Positive disruption: healthcare, ageing and participation in the age of technology

“Australia is on the cusp of two of the greatest disruptive transformations in history: the ageing of the population and a technological revolution. How the nation manages with both of these prospects will determine its fortune. These two phenomena will cause a ripple effect across the Australian economy and society, but Australia is now at the point where it can choose how it will react and rectify the exposed problems and inefficiencies caused. This report proposes a series of recommendations to address the various inefficiencies within our current systems, and the emerging conditions caused by an ageing nation and our greater dependency on technology.” Source: McKell Institute

Measuring elder abuse in New Zealand : findings from the New Zealand Longitudinal Study of Ageing (NZLSA)

“Elder abuse is pervasive in New Zealand, even though the vast majority of elderly people don’t experience it. Furthermore it further marginalises people who are already marginalised.

 

The damage to people of elder abuse is consistently negative and costly to health and welfare services as a consequence.” Source: Family Centre Social Policy Research Unit

Opportunity Knocks: Designing Solutions for an Ageing Society

“Opportunity Knocks: Designing Solutions for an Ageing Society sets out the changes needed in current approaches to ensure we harness the full benefits of design and technology.  This report also highlights a range of ideas for new technology which emerged from a workshop organised in May 2015.” Source: International Longevity Centre UK

Peer Support for People with Dementia: A social return on investment study

“The Health Innovation Network has published a report proving the social value of peer support groups for people with dementia is greater than the investment: for every pound (£) of investment the social value created by the three groups evaluated ranged from £1.17 to £5.18.” Source: Health Innovation Network South London

A Review of the Dementia Research Landscape and Workforce Capacity in the United Kingdom

“Several governments, including the UK government, have announced commitments to increase funding for dementia research, with a goal to find a treatment or cure, and to improve the management of the condition through the way health and social care is delivered. It is vital that this funding be allocated effectively, building on existing strengths and targeting research gaps. RAND Europe was commissioned by the Alzheimer’s Society to analyse the UK’s dementia research landscape and workforce capacity.” Source: RAND Europe

Estimation of future cases of dementia from those born in 2015

“OHE were asked to estimate the number of people born in 2015 who would likely develop dementia during their lifetime.” Source: UK Office for Health Economics

Home care: delivering personal care and practical support to older people living in their own homes

“This guideline covers the planning and delivery of person-centred care for older people living in their own homes (known as home care or domiciliary care). It aims to promote older people’s independence and to ensure safe and consistently high quality home care services.” Source: NICE

 

Read entire Grey Matter Newsletter

http://www.health.govt.nz/news-media/grey-matter-newsletter