Dementia: Professional resources
 Resources for nursing staff created as part of the RCN's commitment to improving care for people with dementia
The Triangle of Care
The Triangle of Care for Dementia was developed in partnership with the ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥ and in consultation with carers, people with dementia and professionals. It is based on the original Triangle of Care and is aimed at acute care hospitals. Available as a guide on the Carers UK website, it is made up of six standards, which you can use to ensure that carers are included and involved in the care of any of your patients with dementia, particularly in hospital settings. It is also relevant to all services that provide care for people with dementia. See:
To reflect the Scottish context, the Triangle of Care has been adapted to suit the Scottish legislation, initiatives and policies around dementia. This Scottish version has been a collaborative effort between Carers Trust Scotland, ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥ Scotland, NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, University of Stirling Dementia Services Research and Dementia Carers Voices. See: .
The Carers Trust Wales is supporting the implementation of the Triangle of Care standards for carers accessing services in local health boards across Wales. Funded through the RCN Foundation, the recent development of a Triangle of Care for dementia Wales edition has been a collaborative effort between the ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥ and Carers Trust Wales. It has been developed from the original Triangle of Care for dementia, which was co-designed with carers, people with dementia and practitioners, with the support of Uniting Carers and Dementia UK. See: .
UK policies
England
Northern Ireland
Scotland
Wales
NICE
. All NICE guidance, advice, NICE Pathways and quality standards.
Organisations and further resources
. 'This is me' is a simple leaflet for anyone receiving professional care who is living with dementia or experiencing delirium or other communication difficulties. The leaflet can be used in any setting – at home, in hospital, in respite care or in a care home.
. Correcting the vision of a person with dementia can improve their quality of life. This NIHR-funded research explores the prevalence of a range of vision problems in people with dementia aged 60-89 years, and explores to what extent are these conditions undetected or inappropriately managed.
is for commissioners, care providers, people working in health and social care and people with dementia and their families.
. Dementia UK provides specialist dementia support for families through our Admiral Nurse service.
. This refreshed strategy reinforces the fundamental role nurses play in providing care and support to people, so they can live well with dementia.
Updated statistics by PHE on dementia prevalence, hospital admissions, care and mortality, at the national and subnational geographical areas in England.
. Dementia awareness resources include: an online course and the (PDF).
. This service allows people to register their interest in participating in dementia research and be matched to suitable studies.
There are 850,000 people living with dementia in the UK. This is expected to rise to one million by 2025 and continue to increase to two million by 2051. This report presents the Round 4 results of the National Audit of Dementia.
. A national alliance for dementia care and research organisations across England connecting, sharing best practice and taking action on dementia.
. This document will help you to develop an Advance Care Plan for people living with dementia.
. NICE and SCIE have developed a new quick guide with the aim of informing people and their family and carers about the support that is available after a diagnosis of dementia.
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. Exploring the ethical and legal issues including questions around patient autonomy, consent, stigma, inadvertent disclosure, and privacy.
. YoungDementia UK is the dedicated national charity for younger people with dementia and their families.
Dementia & COVID-19
- Alzheimer's Society:
- British Psychological Society. (PDF)
- NDAA. (PDF)
- NHS England: Dementia wellbeing in the COVID-19 pandemic (PDF)
- Royal College of Psychiatrists:
- SCIE:
Wendy Mitchell, author of the memoir 'Somebody I Used to Know', shares her experience of living with dementia at the The North Devon Care Homes Team Annual Conference on World Alzheimer's Day 2018. You can also hear more from Wendy in her blog, .
RCN resources
- (Youtube)
- RCN. Older People in Care Homes. Sex, Sexuality and Intimate Relationships. This guidance has been developed to help nurses and care staff work effectively with issues of sexuality, intimate relationships, sexual expression and sex, particularly people living in care homes. Its aim is to facilitate learning, support best practice and serve as a resource to help nurses and care staff address the needs of older service users in a professional, sensitive, legal and practical way.
- RCN. Dementia Care Principles for People in Prison. This document sets out the five SPACE principles, based on evidence gathered from people living with dementia, carers and practitioners, that form a shared commitment to improving dementia care in prisons.
Page last updated - 21/06/2023
