Tag Archives: dementia
We need to address drinking problems in older age
Older people struggle with alcohol problems but despite the growing demographic, there is a big gap in services catering for them
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Tony Rao
- Guardian Professional,
There is a large gap in service provision for older people with alcohol problems. Old age psychiatry services in the UK are still only able to take on older people with dual diagnosis problems; those who have both substance misuse and an accompanying mental disorder such as depression, dementia or a psychotic disorder.
In theory there is no age limit for substance misuse services, but such services are often ill-equipped to manage the particular problems faced by older people. For example, they are also not generally able to deliver a home-based service, which is very often what is needed to serve the vast majority over 65s with an alcohol problem.
The last few years have seen new developments in alcohol services in the NHS and the voluntary sector. The voluntary sector has developed considerably, with service providers emerging in areas with high rates of alcohol-related morbidity and mortality.
David Cameron promises Olympic Games health ‘legacy’
David Cameron is to announce the setting-up of a £10m science research centre on the site of the Olympic drug-testing laboratories.
The “phenome” facility will allow better understanding of physical characteristics such as hair and eye colour, as well as diseases including dementia and diabetes.
The prime minister will say the UK can “lead the world” in the research field.
He will address 500 leading figures from the global health industry.
Dementia’s link with stress and a relaxing way to deal with it
Guest Blog – Ross Stevens Organic Development
Until psychological or drug-based treatments for dementia come along, the medical and residential care community is working on the basis that the disease may be related to stress and, therefore, anything which relaxes sufferers may help them cope better. In its latest initiative, the Alzheimer’s Society is funding a research project being led by Professor Clive Holmes at the University of Southampton. The plan is to monitor 140 people aged over 50 and with mild cognitive impairment for a period of 18 months.
