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Statins for the prevention of dementia Authors' conclusions: There is good evidence that statins given in late life to people at risk of vascular disease do not prevent cognitive decline or dementia. Biologically, it seems feasible that statins could prevent dementia due to their role in cholesterol reduction and initial evidence from observational studies was very promising. However, indication bias may have been a factor in these studies and the evidence from subsequent RCTs has been negative. There were limitations in the included studies involving the cognitive assessments used and the inclusion of participants at moderate to high vascular risk only.
Dementia profiling
Public Health England has published a new Dementia Profile, providing access to local authority and CCG level data across the whole dementia care pathway. For the first time, the profile will enable comparison between local authorities and CCG’s in England in one, interactive online platform. The profile shares key information, such as how many people have dementia broken down by area and age; the number of people who have received an NHS health check; the number of people who have depression; emergency hospital admission numbers; and where people with dementia die.
Hearing loss and dementia
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation has published Dementia friendly communities: supporting learning and outreach with the deaf community. This report aims to inform the development of policy and practice in relation to dementia awareness and information models in the Deaf community and with people with hearing loss. These approaches challenge misconceptions and provide signposting for appropriate information and support. The report considers and provides next steps on best practice models based on a pilot project with Alzheimer’s Society and BDA.
Frailty fulcrum model
NHS England has published an animated model for frailty. This model aims to provide a ‘common language’ for frailty that can be shared between individuals, carers and professionals. It offers an interpretation of frailty that is meaningful, relevant and sustainable for people living with the condition, throughout their journeys of care.
Dementia care in hospitals
The Alzheimer’s Society has published Fix dementia care: hospitals. This report marks the start of a new Alzheimer’s Society campaign looking at the experiences of people affected by dementia in a range of health and care settings. It contains the results of freedom of information requests from hospital trusts across England; a survey completed by self-selecting sample of carers of people affected by dementia; and analysis of government and NHS data. The report sets out recommendations for the NHS and health regulators to improve the experiences of people affected by dementia in hospitals.
Additional link: BBC News report
Dementia in the Family
Alzheimer’s Research UK has published Dementia in the Family: the impact on carers. The report explores the experiences of people who are caring for family members with dementia, highlighting the heavy toll the condition can take on family carers. The report includes case studies purposely chosen to include different types of relationships between the person with dementia and their carer. They were also chosen to include people at different stages of the condition.
Older people more reluctant to complain about NHS services
The Parliamentary Ombudsman Service has published Breaking down barriers. This report highlights that older people are often more reluctant to speak up, or simply don’t know how to complain when they receive poor care. The report makes a number of recommendations to improve older people’s experience of the complaints system these include: wanting all NHS providers to make older people aware of how to complain, pointing them to the support that is available to them, and make it clear that their future care will not be compromised if they complain.
Additional link: BBC news report
NHS Behind the Headlines - Older People's Health media stories explained
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