RVS report calls for improvements in community-based post-diagnostic dementia support 

A report from the Royal Voluntary Service (RVS) and the University of Birmingham has been published entitled: ‘Living well with dementia: better community provision for all’. 

The report looks at the realities of living with dementia for the person diagnosed and their family, and the availability and effectiveness of non-medical, community-based support. Included in the report is analysis from a survey of 1000 UK unpaid carers of people living with dementia, a public opinion poll of 2000 GB adults, a literature review, and primary data from users of Royal Voluntary Service’s dementia support groups. The findings include: 

• 37% of those caring for loved ones with dementia have been offered no support since diagnosis. 
• 30% of respondents said dementia is a lonely journey, with nobody, be it a professional, family member or friend, to turn to for advice or assistance.   
• 51% of all caregivers surveyed (growing to 92% of caregivers aged 55+) believe there’s not enough support available to carers of loved ones with dementia. 

The four recommendations in the report include an appeal for greater investment and cross-sector collaboration to facilitate a scaling-up of vital community support, and an invitation for medical and academic researchers and experts, including those with lived experience, to team up to conduct original research that will help maximise the effectiveness of services. The changes being called for are backed up by statistics including: 

• 81% of caregivers noticed improvements in their loved one with dementia when support was available, such as the dementia support groups offered by the RVS. 
• 24% of GB adults, equivalent to 12.5 million people, expressed an interest in volunteering to support a dementia group in their community, rising to 35% of individuals who are or were a carer for someone living with dementia 

Dr Rachel Fox, National Dementia Development Manager at Royal Voluntary Service, says: 

“Dementia is a growing challenge, with rates expected to rise to 1.4 million by 2040. The impacts are far-reaching and with no effective medical treatment yet available, it’s becoming increasingly crucial to offer more support to all those affected. Worryingly, our study shows too many are subject to receiving whatever is available in their local area or simply have no support at all. 

“We need to put an end to this limited and unequal service provision, often situated miles away from home and which is leaving so many people living with dementia and their caregivers without anyone to turn to. Increased funding combined with a mass mobilisation of volunteers would enable services like ours to be rapidly upscaled and expanded for the benefit of more dementia communities across Britain.” 

You can read the report here: www.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk/living-well-with-dementia-report