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The diagnosis gap
- Author:
- STOKES Graham
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Dementia Care, 20(3), May 2012, pp.18-20.
- Publisher:
- Hawker
An objective of the National Dementia Strategy (NDS) for England (2009) is the provision of good quality early diagnosis and early intervention services for all on a nationwide basis. It is expected that all people with suspected dementia will have access to a pathway of care that delivers a rapid and competent specialist assessment that results in an accurate sensitively communicated diagnosis with the appropriate treatment, care and support provided as needed thereafter. Yet, 3 years after the publication of the NDS, under-diagnosis remains the prevailing norm, with an average diagnosis rate in England of around 42%. This article considers the reasons for this low diagnostic rate. These reasons are: the myth that becoming ‘absent minded’ is a normal part of ageing; the stigma attached to dementia; the isolation of many older people; the existence of co-morbidities; and the belief that a diagnosis of dementia may harm the patient. For those patients who are diagnosed, management of care may be disjointed and ineffective, and even, for many with early diagnosis, completely non-existent. The article argues that a failure to deal with these problems leads to costly repeat emergency hospital admissions and premature entry to care homes, as well as being responsible for the unacceptable suffering of patients and their families.
The essential dementia care handbook
- Editors:
- STOKES Graham, GOUDIE Fiona
- Publisher:
- Speechmark
- Publication year:
- 2002
- Pagination:
- 222p.,bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- Bicester
This book is is a comprehensive account of current best practice. It covers diagnosis of dementia and other problems associated with ageing, assessment, the, person-centred model of dementia, rehabilitation and therapy.