That the Board receive a presentation regarding the Dementia Update.

Doctor Adrian Hayter, provided an update on the work within practices surrounding the clinical diagnosis of dementia. The Board were informed of the symptoms of dementia which included, memory loss and ways in which individuals think, problem solve and ways in which their language changes. Two main conditions were Alzheimer’s dementia and vascular dementia. 1 in 14 people ages 65 or over would develop dementia in their lifetime, but it was noted that 40% of people over 90 would suffer with dementia. Work around understanding and trying to diagnose dementia had been carried out over the past few years, which had undertaken ways in which patients could be diagnosed earlier. Dementia diagnosis had increased and this was due to ways in which practices had used various tools and clinical championing work. Over the past 12 months dementia diagnosis rates had risen from 68% to 73% and that there were currently 1200 patients across RBWM who suffered with dementia. It was expected that there should be approximately 2000 individuals with dementia across the borough.

Currently work was being carried out with the three CCGs to address the need for earlier diagnosis of dementia and ways in which this could be addressed by providing support to each other. There was evidence currently to suggest that more support around individuals and medication could slow down the progression of the disease. The Board were informed that an earlier diagnosis of five years could result in significant savings, approximately £14 million. In 2016/17 work had been carried out with a local clinician to review and adopt tools to better examine patients and allow General Practitioners to assess clients within surgeries within an allocated appointment. One of the factors which had helped uptake was promotion and general awareness of the disease through posters in the GP surgeries which encouraged examinations. Local clinicians and medical professions had also been undertaking work around ways in which ailments had been coded and this had success in understanding and also highlighting cases for earlier diagnosis.

Nikki Wilcock and Paula King from Nest Home care gave a presentation on the Dementia Action Alliance (DAA). The DAA was an initiative created by the Alzheimer’s Society in 2016 and there were currently 366 DAAs nationally. Work with local businesses and organisations were being sought to identify current and future projects, pool resources and raise awareness of dementia within the community. The Board was informed that work to identify and increase the number of ‘dementia friends’ champions would include sessions in the community. The launch of the WAM DAA had taken place on 5^th March 2018 which had approved terms of reference, evidence and research, actions and to set up a Twitter account.

Members discussed that the DAA acted as a focal point for sign posting to volunteer organisations. It was also discussed that the work carried out should be cohesive and not competitive. Members also discussed ways in which awareness could be promoted and that training in PHSE lessons and citizenship studies could be promoted. It was noted that there were information sessions currently being held with success at Windsor Boys and Windsor Girls School. Members also wished for the RBWM logo to be removed from Nest Care publication and that it should be clear that this was a voluntary and for profit organisation