A new booklet to help guide people with dementia and their carers through their journey has been launched by the Alzheimer’s Society.

The guide is the first of its kind to provide the information needed after a diagnosis of dementia. It offers advice to help people come to terms with their diagnosis and plan ahead and enable them to live well with the condition.

It’s published a year on from the 'Unlocking diagnosis' report from the All Party Parliamentary Group on dementia found that many people said “nothing” happened after a diagnosis, showing that more immediate support and information was needed. The guide has been developed to give GPs and psychiatrists the opportunity to provide people with dementia and carers with know-how and guidance at the point of diagnosis.

Alzheimer's Society calls for improved diagnosis

Whilst diagnosis rates are increasing, some GPs are still reluctant to diagnose the disease and the guide is being introduced at a time where over 50 per cent (428,000) of people living with dementia still do not have a formal diagnosis, and are not able to access treatments and support. Alzheimer's Society is campaigning to raise awareness of the variations in services offered to people around the country and calling for improved diagnosis rates.

It includes sections focusing on the emotional impact of a diagnosis; drug treatments that are available; signposting to services that are available through the NHS; social services, charities and private organisations; and support for carers.

Alzheimer's Society has produced five top tips to guide people who have recently been diagnosed with dementia and their carers through the next stage of living with the condition:

• • Don't be afraid to talk about a diagnosis - Reaching out to family, friends, and support organisations can enable you to get emotional and practical support
  • Knowledge is power – Finding out more about dementia and the way it affects people will give you the know-how to plan for the future
  • Are you getting what you're entitled to? – A diagnosis of dementia can give you access to financial support for benefits such as carers allowance 
  • Understand your treatment options – Talk to your GP about medical treatments that could help slow progression of the condition
  • You are not alone – Contact Alzheimer's Society to find your nearest support services 

Link
More information: http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/documents.php?categoryID=200455