Currently, fewer than half of people with dementia (48%) receive a formal diagnosis. Diagnosis and how employers can helpĮarly assessment and diagnosis is important in preventing problems arising at work and enabling people to continue to work after a diagnosis. So it is no surprise that many people with dementia fear the reactions of colleagues and employers, and that they might not be supported to continue at work or would be discriminated against if they looked for a new job. We hear from some people using Alzheimer’s Society services that it is not uncommon for those experiencing the symptoms of dementia to try to conceal any difficulties at work from their colleagues or managers for fear of a negative response.įifty per cent of adults in the UK believe there is a stigma attached to dementia (Alzheimer’s Society, 2008).

A widespread lack of awareness of the condition, and a lack of understanding of how it affects people, often prevents people from talking openly about dementia. a decline in the ability to talk, read or write.ĭementia is a hidden issue in the workplace.feeling confused even in familiar surroundings and.feeling anxious, depressed or angry about forgetfulness.repeating conversations or information, or losing the thread mid conversation.forgetting the names of friends or everyday objects.finding it hard to follow conversations or programmes on television.struggling to remember recent events, but easily recalling things from the past.

The most common signs and symptoms of dementia include: It is one of the main causes of disability in later life, ahead of cancer, cardiovascular disease and stroke. Dementia affects people in different ways and the onset of the condition will vary depending on the disease. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, but there are more than 100 other types including vascular dementia and Lewy Body dementia. These symptoms occur when the brain is damaged by certain diseases. But in reality, people with dementia are not able to access support in order to stay in employment.ĭementia describes a set of symptoms that may include memory loss, mood changes and problems with communicating and reasoning. Given that the Equalities Act safeguards people diagnosed with dementia against unfair treatment at work, employers must demonstrate they have made reasonable adjustments to enable people who develop dementia to continue to work. Additionally, many people, and especially those with early onset dementia under the age of 65, have financial commitments such as mortgages or dependent children and so will need to stay in paid employment for as long as they are able. Many people with the condition are able to continue working, particularly in the early stages, and would choose to do so. As a result, people are being diagnosed at an earlier stage, when they may still be functioning well and are able to cope at work with relatively few changes. The DES promotes a case-finding approach where clinicians ask those who are at a higher risk of developing dementia if they are worried about their memory in order to refer them for appropriate tests. There are estimated to be 1.4 million people still in employment over the age of 65 in the UK (Office of National Statistics, 2012) and, with the removal of the statutory retirement age in 2012, this number has begun to rise and will continue to do so.Ĭoupled with this, in 2013 the dementia directed enhanced service (DES) was introduced to the GP contract to help tackle the low rates of dementia diagnosis.

Definition of eloquent in the workplace