Interviewed by The Guardian, Alzheimer’s Society Director of knowledge Management, Clive Evers says:  “Unfortunately…two thirds of care-home residents have dementia, while most of those looking after them have no dementia training”. (The Guardian 30.11.07)

On the sensitive subject of new close relationships in the care-home during the later stages of dementia, Evers explains:  “These are very intimate, very individual circumstances that have to be looked at carefully, with the safely, security and wellbeing of the person uppermost in mind”.  He concludes:  “The (care) home really needs to understand the nature of dementia”.

Care staff need to understand how to provide protection for vulnerable people at the same time as ensuring their dignity.   But will an untrained member of staff really be able to do that?  Can they spot the difference between complex symptoms like disinhibition and an expression of affection?

The fact is that intuition and the life-experience of care-home staff isn’t enough to navigate such complex issues.  It isn’t fair to expect a carer to be able to support someone with dementia without providing them with the training that will give them the knowledge and confidence to provide quality care.

Consistent media coverage highlighting the need for change in dementia care cannot be ignored.  So much evidence provided by one expert after another is putting the government under pressure to provide the platform of legislation for mandatory training.  But most important, this government cannot help but notice that the now well-informed families and friends of people with dementia in care-homes will soon not settle for less.

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