Background information

Prevalence of dementia

Alzheimer Europe estimates the number of people with dementia in Jersey in 2011 as being 1,401. This represents 1.43% of the total population of 97,857. The number of people with dementia as a percentage of the population is slightly below the EU average of 1.55%. The following table shows the estimated number of people with dementia between 30 and 59 and for every 5-year age group thereafter.

The above figures are from 2011 as these were the most recent populations statistics available from The States of Jersey Population Census for Jersey alone i.e. not combined with Guernsey.

Where people with dementia receive care and support

The following table provides estimates of the number of people with dementia living at home, in various types of residential care and in hospitals or psychiatric institutions.

The exact figures for the number of people in each of the above categories and the percentage of the residents in those categories who have dementia are unknown but there is a move to make funding available to establish these numbers.

The organisation of care and support for people with dementia

In 2011, the Health and Social Services department commissioned a report by KPMG entitled ‘A Proposed New System for Health and Social Services’ which ultimately resulted in a proposal of the States of Jersey Council of Ministers, ‘Health and Social Services: A New Way Forward’, outlining significant changes to the way healthcare is administered in Jersey. This proposition was adopted by the Government in 2012 and work is now underway to implement the recommendations within it. Dementia was identified as a priority and the Health and Social Services department is currently in the process of implementing three services specifications for people with dementia, namely:

1. Mental Health Liaison Service to support people with dementia in care homes and acute settings.

2. Community Mental Health Team caring for people with dementia in the community

3. Memory Assessment Early Diagnosis Service enhancing the role of the Memory Clinic

These specifications outline the enhancement of existing services and the provision of new services to support people with dementia.

Meanwhile, people with dementia are supported by their GPs and via the Memory Clinic by way of an allocated care co-ordinator. They are able to access other services via their care coordinator such as occupational therapists and continence advisors.

Training

Which social and healthcare professionals provide care and support

The following social and healthcare professionals are involved in the provision of care and support to people with dementia in residential care or living at home.

* Only if they are linked to the provision and organisation of care and support (i.e. not with regard to their role to provide medical treatment).

The type of training that social and healthcare professionals receive

Training in what dementia is and in person centred care is available for care home and care agency staff but this is not mandatory at present.

How the training of social and healthcare professionals is addressed

The training of professionals is currently piecemeal but it is hoped that a fourth service specification will be drawn up to address this area which will include a professional development manager who will be responsible for all aspects of dementia training.

Support for informal carers

A specific fund has been allocated by the Health and Social Services Department to provide all forms of respite for people with dementia including residential respite and respite in the home environment.

National Alzheimer Association

The Jersey Alzheimer’s Association provides the following services and support.

All the funds for the Jersey Alzheimer’s Association come from donations and fundraising, apart from an annual grant of £14,160 from Health and Social Services Department. Running costs are budgeted to be approx. £100,000 p.a. The Associations feels that it would not be able to do what it does without the continuing generosity of the businesses and individuals. The Association also offers the following support and services:

Saturday Club

A service for people in all stages of dementia that gives carers a break, either for the day or for an hour or two.  Transport and a three-course lunch are provided, along with a variety of activities. Staff members are fully trained in all aspects of person-centred dementia care and training is constantly updated. Around 15 – 20 people attend each week and the staff/client ratio is high so it is possible to provide more personalised care and activities. An open referral system is operated although guests are frequently referred by their Community Psychiatric Nurse or Social Worker.

Musical Memories

A music therapy programme specifically designed for people in all stages of dementia, their families and carers. The programme involves singing, seated exercises and playing instruments. Attendance varies from 20 to 46 including groups from care homes.

Training & Education

Workshops are organised in schools and other youth organisations to give young people an understanding of what happens when a person gets dementia and how it can affect the family unit. All students are presented with a Certificate following the session. Students from Jersey College for Girls attend the Musical Memories sessions as part of their enrichment programme. They also do a short course on Understanding Dementia. Two-hour workshops on understanding dementia are offered to professional organisations and local companies who may come into contact with people with memory problems and confusion during their daily work.

School Projects

For the past two years, students on the Alternative Curriculum and at Greenfields have been creating artwork, photographs and woodcraft to brighten up Government-run wards. The Manager of the Jersey Alzheimer’s Association meets all new students at the beginning of term and talks a little about what it is like to live with dementia.

Carpenter

A volunteer professional carpenter does small carpentry jobs for people with dementia in their own homes, free of charge for those who might have financial difficulties. The Jersey Alzheimer’s Association has agreed to purchase any extra materials he might need.

References

States of Jersey (2012). Health and Social Services; a new way forward. States of Jersey. Can be downloaded at: http://www.statesassembly.gov.je/AssemblyPropositions/2012/P.082-2012.pdf

See also: http://www.gov.je/Government/Pages/StatesReports.aspx?ReportID=591

http://www.gov.je/SiteCollectionDocuments/Government%20and%20administration/R%20CensusReport%2020120808%20SU.pdf

Williams, R. (2012).A proposed new system for health and social services; integrated community services: people living with dementia, Version 2. Can be downloaded from:

http://www.gov.je/SiteCollectionDocuments/Government%20and%20administration/R%20HSSD%20OBC%20Dementia%2020120912%20MC.pdf

Acknowledgements

Kim Averty, Honorary Secretary, the Jersey Alzheimer’s Association