Campaigns
We are passionate about the rights of people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias to be treated with respect and dignity at all stages of their dementia journey.
1 Acute Hospitals Campaign
Background
We have been told time and again of poor services received by people with dementia at acute hospitals including the Royal United in Bath, where more than 50 per cent of patients are from Wiltshire.
Actions
Alzheimer’s Support sits on the RUH’s dementia strategy which is implementing a system of charter marks for wards which achieve measurable standards in dementia care and ‘dementia champions’ on each ward. The hospital is part of the South West Dementia partnership and is now following an Implementation Campaign to improve services.
We have also provided training in dementia awareness to more than 80 volunteers and porters at the hospital, and one of our carers spoke to more than 140 staff members at a presentation on the needs of patients with dementia.
How You Can Help
Tell us your experiences. Let us know what happened to you in hospital, good or bad, and any ideas you have for improvements
Volunteer on the wards. The RUH now has a dedicated volunteer co-ordinator to organise people to offer companionship for patients with dementia.
2 Early Diagnosis Campaign
Background
Wiltshire has one of the lowest rates of dementia diagnosis in the country with just 31 per cent of people told what is wrong with them.
Without a diagnosis, people cannot receive memory-enhancing drugs or benefits, and are unable to plan for the future. They may also feel that they are to blame for symptoms which are part of the illness.
We are calling on the PCT to do more to speed up rates of diagnosis by improvements to the memory service. We are also working to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of dementia to encourage people to seek diagnosis earlier.
How You Can Help
Later this year all service users and carers will be asked to fill in a questionnaire on their experience of diagnosis as the start of a wider awareness raising campaign.
Volunteer to join our Early Diagnosis awareness and advocacy campaign
Donate Now
We rely on donations to fund our work. This year we need to raise £190,000 to maintain our services
Download Wiltshire's dementia handbook
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