Families hit by long waits for dementia diagnosis

Keith and Sue Andrews first met when they were 15, and they’ve been married for 57 years.

Sue’s condition has deteriorated so much that she now lives in a home.

Keith says they had to wait almost a year for a diagnosis, which was difficult.

He says life became more maneagable, once they knew for sure.

“I won’t say it’s easy, but you know where you’re going, and you know where you’re heading and you feel a lot more confident in what you’re doing.

“Because you know you’re doing the right thing, but before that diagnosis, you don’t know if you’re doing the right thing or what to do even.

“And it’s a horrible time, a horrible time.”

Like Keith, 9 out of 10 families surveyed said that a formal diagnosis made at least one aspect of life easier.

That included understanding symptoms and behaviour, supporting the person living with dementia, accessing information or speaking to healthcare professionals.

A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care said:

“This Government is determined to strengthen the support that is available both to individuals affected by dementia, and the family members who look after them.

“We are bringing forward the timetable for Baroness Casey’s commission on reform of the social care system, and we are appointing a new dementia tsar to help lead our work in that area, as recommended by Baroness Casey.”

“We are also implementing a new action plan for unpaid carers to ensure that they receive the support and recognition they deserve for the selfless work they do.”