Dementia Rights

Many thanks to everyone who gave their valuable time to responding to the consultation on our Dementia Manifesto and Charter of Rights for People with Dementia and their Carers.

We received responses from nearly 600 people who responded to our five roadshows, 9 focus groups, on-line questionnaire and consultation pack. About  60% of our respondents were people with dementia and carers and 40% professionals.

Thank you for your views

• you gave us your overwhelming endorsement for both documents, with some very constructive comments on how they might be improved and points clarified;
• some of you raised the potential conflict between meeting the needs of people with dementia and the needs of their families.
• some of you asked if we were being realistic in our demands, yet
• everyone agreed that people with dementia and their cares should have a right to receive high quality services throughout the illness and that is why the Charter and Manifesto are so important
• that the manifesto and charter would help to empower you to press for the services that are needed.

Standards of Care for Dementia in Scotland

The Scottish Government have produced Standards of Care for Dementia in Scotland. The standards are based on the Scottish Parliament’s Cross Party Group on Alzheimer’s Charter of rights for people with dementia and their carers and also what people with dementia have said is important to them. The contents of the Standards of Care for Dementia will be tested and consulted on over the next six months, before final consideration of their formal adoption.

Alzheimer Scotland have produced a companion guide to the Standards of Care for Dementia in Scotland for people with dementia and their carers (family members, partners and friends). It explains what your rights are and the quality of care, support and treatment you or the person you care for should receive to stay well, safe and listened to. Your views on the guide are welcomed, see Standards of Care for Dementia in Scotland: A guide for people with dementia and their carers to download a copy.