Dementia sufferers benefit from person-centred public services

Nicola Jacobson is dementia adviser for the Alzheimer’s Society Jacobson has been a dementia adviser in Sheffield since the role was created under the government’s national dementia strategy in 2009. She says co-designed services are making a difference in the social care sector.

Thinkpublic, a public sector design agency, worked with the Alzheimer’s Society to establish a strategy for meeting the challenges of frontline service provision as a third sector body, mobilising the trust and experience they have built up over years of working with people with dementia to create a fully co-produced service and attract NHS funding under the national strategy.

Jacobson, who has worked for the society for three years, says she can see a shift in focus: “The key change is that now we’re putting the person at the centre of the service, not the carer. And this is something that’s been long neglected.

“As an adviser, I am with people for the whole journey. The service doesn’t dip in and out over the course of 15 years or so, and this continuity is crucial in avoiding crises. The full impact has not yet been fully evaluated, but the feeling is that the advisers reduce hospital admissions, care visits – and enable people with dementia to remain in their own homes for longer.

“Delivering the service this way means we can focus on quality of life, and be a service provider in the widest sense. It’s not just health and social care – we recommend social clubs, organise walking groups, and help people connect with their local communities.

“Early intervention is key, too – my youngest client is 40, with two young children. We also can provide services and advice to people before diagnosis to make sure they’re getting the right advice and support and before they reach crisis point and need a hospital admission or GP visit.”

Terry Smith, 66, lives with his wife Hazel in Sheffield. He was diagnosed with vascular and Lewy body dementia in June 2009 and has been one of Jacobson’s clients since September 2009. “We learn more about things every time we meet with Nicola,” he says. “It’s enjoyable to come and talk to someone who understands, because most people don’t know about dementia.