Every person with dementia is entitled to be treated with dignity and respect and, in the Western Isles, adopting a human rights based approach to dementia will ensure we do just that. This means that we must change the way that our services and communities think and act on dementia and ensure that the views and experiences of people with dementia, their families and carers, underpin our own policy development.
While no treatments are currently available to cure dementia, there is much that can be offered to support and improve the lives of people with dementia, their caregivers and families. The principal goals for dementia care are:
- early diagnosis
- optimising physical health, cognition, activity and well-being
- detecting and treating behavioural and psychological symptoms
- providing information and long-term support to caregivers.
The prospect of developing dementia is a concern for many people, especially as they age. The Western Isles has the highest prevalence of diagnosed dementia in Scotland and we recognise that the majority of people with dementia wish to be supported and cared for in familiar, homely environments in their own community.
Given the profile of our ageing population, increasing levels of frailty, rising demand for services and the challenging financial climate, there is a need for continuing improvements in order to ensure service efficiency. In order to do this, Western Isles Health and Social care Partnership are proposing a local strategy that is capable of delivering targeted and achievable improvements, looking at the actions we can take to support people at different stages, from risk reduction through diagnosis, treatment, assistance to living well with dementia and provision for end of life care.
To ensure this strategy fits the needs of our local population, the Integrated Joint Board are inviting responses from the public about the proposed content and scope. The strategy can be found on the website http://www.ijbwesternisles.scot and responses can be sent on consultation document by emailing: hsc@cne-siar.gov.uk or by posting to Ronald Culley, Chief Officer, Health and Social Care, c/o Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Sandwick Road, Stornoway, HS1 2BW.
Alongside press and media releases there will be a series of public events across the islands to highlight the consultation period which runs from January 23rd until March 8th 2017. Paper copies of the strategy will be available at the Dementia Strategy Public Engagement events which will take place on:
Dementia Strategy Public Engagement Events
- Monday 30th January 2017 – Trianaid Care Home, Isle of North Uist, 6.30pm-8pm.
- Tuesday 31st January 2017 - Sacred Heart Care Home, Isle of South Uist, 6.30pm-8pm.
- Wednesday 1st February 2017 - Cobhair Bharraigh, Isle of Barra, 6.30pm-8pm
- Thursday 2nd February 2017 - Marriage Room, Old Primary School, Tarbert, Isle of Harris, 4pm-7pm
- Monday 6th February 2017 – Committee Room 3, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, 6pm-8pm
Consultation Documents
- Western Isles Dementia Strategy Consultation (Word Document 1.6MB)
- Appendix 1 for Dementia Strategy Consultation (Word Document 1.6Mb)