Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister of Health to detail any steps being taken to improve the support available to individuals and families following a diagnosis of dementia, including access to information about local services and financial support.
Minister of Health: Following a diagnosis of dementia, individuals and their families have access to a range of post-diagnostic support services designed to help them understand their diagnosis, maintain independence, plan for the future and access appropriate care and support.
The Regional Dementia Care Pathway – Supporting Each Person’s Individual Journey emphasises the importance of timely post-diagnostic support and sets out a framework to ensure that people living with dementia receive information, advice and support throughout their dementia journey.
Ongoing assessment, treatment, review and support are available through Memory Services and multidisciplinary community mental health and older people’s services. These services provide information, education and guidance to help individuals and families understand the condition, manage symptoms and plan for future care needs.
A key element of post-diagnostic support is the Dementia Navigator Service, which is available across all Health and Social Care Trusts. Dementia Navigators provide information, practical assistance and personalised signposting to statutory, community and voluntary sector services. They support individuals and their families from the point of diagnosis and throughout their dementia journey, helping them to access local services, carer support, community resources and information on financial and welfare benefits.
Subject to assessed need, people living with dementia may also access a range of community health and social care services, including home care, day opportunities, respite services, advocacy support, reablement services, Hospital at Home services and supported living arrangements. These services aim to support individuals to remain independent and living within their own communities for as long as possible.
In addition, many individuals and families benefit from services provided by the community and voluntary sector, including dementia cafés, peer support groups, befriending services, wellbeing programmes and community activities that help reduce social isolation and promote social inclusion.
Support and advice regarding financial matters is also available through a number of organisations. For example, Advice NI provides advice on welfare benefits, debt, money matters and financial entitlements through its advice helpline and network of local advice providers across Northern Ireland.
ENDS
