U.K.: Let Alzheimer's Society Report Serve As 'Alarm Call,' Says Help The Aged

LONDON, England (Help The Aged), November 27, 2007: Alzheimer's society report should serve as an 'alarm call' to Government, says Help the Aged. Commenting on the report from the Alzheimer's Society today which reveals that many people living in care homes with dementia go for hours without speaking to anyone and that over two thirds of of people with Alzheimer's are cared for in dedicated beds, Paul Cann, director of policy & external relations at Help the Aged said: "This shocking report should act as an urgent alarm call to the Government to raise standards in care for people with dementia. "These are not new issues, and yet so many older people living with this disease are denied basic dignity. Unless steps are taken to address this, even more people will suffer in silence because the rate of dementia is increasing. "Help the Aged has been campaigning for some time on the importance of ensuring dignity for dementia sufferers. We have recently developed a practice guide for individuals working with hospital patients - it is through highlighting good practice and encouraging care homes and hospitals to adopt such approaches that real progress can be made. "Health minister Ivan Lewis has announced that a new strategy will be published at a later date - this report today underlines just how much this is needed."