All care homes must look after the emotional needs of people with dementia, says the Mental Health Foundation

4 June 2008

Responding to the new Commission for Social Care Inspection report See me, not just the dementia, Toby Williamson, Associate Head of Service Improvement at the Mental Health Foundation, said:

“It is worrying to learn that in some care homes in the UK, little attention is being paid to the mental and emotional needs of people with dementia. The Commission for Social Care Inspection report reveals that the way in which staff communicate can have a huge impact on how with people with dementia living in care homes feel. Social interaction is as basic a need as food or sleep. It is incredibly sad that people with dementia in some care homes are not given the opportunity to engage in conversation, even at a very simple level, and are being failed in this way.”

“We know that up to 50% of people with dementia experience depression, half of whom suffer with the condition in its severe form. It is therefore vital that staff in care homes are encouraged to reach out to those who may be more withdrawn and vulnerable as a consequence - to improve their quality of life.”

“Dementia is set to affect more than 900,000 individuals by 2026 and the UK has relatively high levels of residential care for people with the disease in comparison to some other European countries. The quality of care provided in care homes is set to be an issue of concern for increasing numbers of individuals with dementia and their families in the future unless improvements are made.”

The Mental Health Foundation has recently launched Home Improvements – a programme offering grants of between £5,000 and £25,000 for new projects that aim to improve the quality of life of people with dementia in care homes.

• Find out more about the Home Improvements programme  or telephone 020 7803 1151. The closing date for applications is 4 July 2008. Projects that receive funding will be expected to launch during the autumn.

• Read the full report See me, not just dementia on the Commission for Social Care Inspection website.

Notes to editors

For further information, please contact the press office team on 020 7803 1126/1128.

The Mental Health Foundation uses research and practical projects to help people survive, recover from and prevent mental health problems. We work to influence policy, including government at the highest levels. And we use our knowledge to raise awareness and to help tackle the stigma attached to mental illness.  We reach millions of people every year through our media work, information booklets and online services.

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