Alzheimer Scotland has published a new policy report addressing the inequalities that people living with advanced dementia face every day under Scotland’s current social care model. The Fair Dementia Care Commission was established by Alzheimer Scotland to consider the inequality in access to health care and the disproportionate impact of social care charges faced by people with advanced dementia, their families, and carers in Scotland. Chaired by former First Minister Henry McLeish, the commission brought together a small group of experts to work in partnership with Alzheimer Scotland to make a series of bold recommendations to end these inequalities. The report highlights that the complex needs associated with advanced dementia have not been fully understood or recognised as health or nursing care and therefore services have not been free at the point of delivery.
The report calls for authorities to accept and recognise that people with advanced dementia must have the equality of access to free health care on a par with people who are living with other progressive and terminal illnesses. The report also highlights the current complexity, variability and lack of transparency in social care charging policies across Scotland. Chair of The Fair Dementia Care Commission, Henry McLeish, said:“On behalf of Alzheimer Scotland and the members of this commission I ask that Scottish Government accept and act on the recommendations set out in this report so that we can work towards delivering fair dementia care for people with advanced dementia.”
Chief Executive of Alzheimer Scotland, Henry Simmons, said: “The findings of this report provide us with a detailed understanding of the inequalities that exist for people with advanced dementia who are living with complex health care needs. Whilst we understand that it will require significant effort and dedication to fully transform our system, we ask that the Scottish Government lead the way by accepting the definitions and recommendations in this report and commit to starting the journey towards delivering fair dementia care for those with advanced dementia in Scotland.”
The recommendations as set out in The Fair Dementia Care Commission report, Fair Dementia Care for People with Advanced Dementia, include:
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Commission’s definition of advanced dementia is used and implemented in practice.
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Advanced dementia is fully recognised for the complexities involved in the care needed as it progresses to end of life.
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Scottish Government commits to recognising that the needs of people with advanced dementia are health care needs and ensure equality of access to appropriate health and nursing care, which is free at the point of delivery.
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The Scottish Government commits to investigating the costs of implementing appropriate and free health care for those living, and dying, with advanced dementia.
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The Scottish Government, COSLA and Integration Joint Boards commit to ending the current lack of transparency, complexity and variability in current non-residential care charging provisions across Scotland.
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The recording of dementia (including advanced dementia) prevalence across all health and social care settings is urgently required to support better understanding of demand, allocation of resources and improved care and support.
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All local authorities/health and social care partnerships make local charging policies accessible and readily available.
