Receiving a timely diagnosis of dementia can and does make a significant difference to someone with a learning disability and dementia. Providing a diagnosis is just one step on the dementia pathway; what follows is making sure the person understands the diagnosis, putting plans in place and continuing with post-diagnostic care.
On Community Care, our Director of Adult Services, Emma Killick, writes:
“Sadly many people still feel the need to ask why receiving a timely diagnosis is important for people with a learning disability. Perhaps they think receiving a diagnosis of dementia is just another label that won’t help them. It is important to challenge myths, because receiving a timely diagnosis does make a significant difference to someone with a learning disability and dementia. Ensuring timely diagnosis of dementia, or indeed any health condition, begins with a personalised baseline assessment that identifies what is normal for someone.”
Read the full article on Community Care.
One of the aims of the MacIntyre Dementia Project is to help people with a learning disability receive a timely diagnosis of dementia; as such, the Project team is working hard on reviewing and amending all health recording documentation for the people we support.
To find out more, please email [javascript protected email address].