NIHR Alert: Loneliness in people with dementia is linked to social isolation and depression

YPWD Trustee and Healthcare Public Health Specialist Dr Buchi Reddy has identified this alert from the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) that highlight how the YPWD model of support both before and during the Covid-19 pandemic helps to reduce loneliness.

As Buchi says:

1. It’s interesting since it relates to our new ways of working during lockdown using remote and digital provision to stay connected. However for carers themselves or those living with families advised to self-isolate or shield for a long period it might mean a reduced opportunity for carer’s respite provision.

2. There are other alternate opportunities to look at like telephone support (Silverline) or social prescribing opportunities linking in with new Primary Care Networks (PCN) and Integrated Care System networks wherein a dedicated social prescribing link worker is funded for each PCN.

3. YPWD is aware of the fact that most caring is done informally in the UK and hence provides respite for carers supporting younger people with dementia. According to the Family Resources Survey (FRS), most informal carers are women (60%). Around 4.1 million informal carers are of working-age, 1.1 million are aged over 64 (21%), and 130,000 are children (3%).