Creating Excellence in Dementia Care
Citation:
Cahill, S., O'Shea, E., & Pierce, M., Creating Excellence in Dementia Care, Dublin, Ireland, January, 2012, 1-168Download Item:
Creating_Excellence_in_Dementia_Care.pdf (Published (publisher's copy) - Peer Reviewed) 2.616Mb
Abstract:
The estimated cost of formal and informal care for dementia worldwide is currently in excess of 600 billion dollars
accounting for 1% of the world?s gross domestic product. This cost, which will grow substantially in the years ahead,
is a wake up call for governments around the world prompting more and more of them to develop National Strategies
for Dementia. The Irish government gave a commitment in 2010 to develop and implement a Strategy which to be
effective must be based on reliable research. The purpose of this research review is to provide the data required by
collating estimates of current and future prevalence rates, costs and service provision. It also reviews models of local
and international best practice placing an emphasis on those which are person-centred and where the individual is
treated as a full citizen with accompanying rights. The research review examines the regional prevalence of dementia
in Ireland and estimates the increase in numbers over the next thirty years.
This estimation of cost rightly takes both formal and informal care into account, the latter being omitted in many
studies. The figures for Ireland match the costs per individual with dementia in other countries and underpin the need
for a structured and cost effective approach to dementia in this country. The research review has found that good
models of dementia care have been developed in Ireland over the past twenty years but that the level of care provision
is very uneven throughout the country with some areas offering little or no support. The review also identifies major
deficiencies in the standard of care of individuals with dementia in both acute hospital and long-stay settings. One
of the few advantages for Ireland of being a comparatively latecomer in forming a National Dementia Strategy is the
opportunity to learn from the achievements and failures of other countries.
The evidence presented in this report will be complemented by direct consultation with individuals with dementia and
their carers. This research will ultimately form the basis for the creation of a National Dementia Strategy which should
be published by government as planned in 2013. Ireland, rather than lagging behind other European countries as at
present, could become an international leader in this field in the years ahead going on to fulfil the aspiration of the
Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, to make Ireland ?a good place in which to grow old?.
Author's Homepage:
http://people.tcd.ie/cahillsuDescription:
PUBLISHEDDublin, Ireland
Author: CAHILL, SUZANNE
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Full text availableKeywords:
Public Health, DementiaLicences: