The number of people with dementia of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) origin is expected to rise significantly – a seven fold increase over 40 years compared to a two fold increase in the number of people with dementia across the whole UK population in the same period.
It is recognised that within the BAME communities there is low awareness of dementia and low numbers of people accessing dementia services. The ‘Prime Ministers Challenge on Dementia 2020’ outlines the need to reduce variation in dementia care, support and access across age, gender, and ethnicity. It commits to “an increase in the numbers of people of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic origin and other seldom heard groups who receive a diagnosis of dementia” and greater provision of culturally competent care, with staff better able to meet the diverse needs of people with dementia.
The Implementation Plan called for Health Education England to commission a film for health and social care providers that focuses on the specific needs of the African Caribbean community within the care process. ‘Finding Patience’ had been developed with the input of experts across the system and follows Patience and her family as they recognise and come to terms with her dementia and ultimately seek help. To date these films have been very well received nationally as an awareness raising tool and although these have been shared previously, I am sharing these again with the request that these are shared further within your networks.
HEE recognise that a wealth of tools and training packages may have been developed locally and in order to understand the level of activity and to share good practice, colleagues are encouraged to share any local developments in dementia awareness with local office leads, in a bid to promote existing good practice and reduce duplication nationally.
It is recognised that within the BAME communities there is low awareness of dementia and low numbers of people accessing dementia services. The ‘Prime Ministers Challenge on Dementia 2020’ outlines the need to reduce variation in dementia care, support and access across age, gender, and ethnicity. It commits to “an increase in the numbers of people of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic origin and other seldom heard groups who receive a diagnosis of dementia” and greater provision of culturally competent care, with staff better able to meet the diverse needs of people with dementia.
The Implementation Plan called for Health Education England to commission a film for health and social care providers that focuses on the specific needs of the African Caribbean community within the care process. ‘Finding Patience’ had been developed with the input of experts across the system and follows Patience and her family as they recognise and come to terms with her dementia and ultimately seek help. To date these films have been very well received nationally as an awareness raising tool and although these have been shared previously, I am sharing these again with the request that these are shared further within your networks.
HEE recognise that a wealth of tools and training packages may have been developed locally and in order to understand the level of activity and to share good practice, colleagues are encouraged to share any local developments in dementia awareness with local office leads, in a bid to promote existing good practice and reduce duplication nationally.
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