Older people with dementia and social work: Lessons to be learned from an evaluative study

Abstract

This article examines the impact and resource implications of providing dedicated social care to older people with dementia in a local authority in the North West of England. It examines a pilot project which addressed these issues within the context of specialised care management arrangements. The particular challenges of meeting the needs of older people with dementia are discussed, together with the shortfalls of a welfare model geared to providing practical support when their needs often include emotional and psychological support. This article then examines how well the project responded to the local needs of the piloted population. It concludes with an analysis of the implications of the findings for other local authorities seeking to sustain an effective service for older people with dementia