Alzheimer's Society: Dignity is key for dementia patients

Dignified care is vital for patients with dementia, the Alzheimer's Society has said.

The charity's comments follow the launch of the government's national awareness campaign of the importance of dignity in care.

Alzheimer's Society chief executive Neil Hunt said the symptoms of dementia make dignified care a "real challenge".

"People may find their dignity is compromised by problems with communication," he explained.

"In these situations the support of dementia trained care staff can make all the difference to their quality of life."

Mr Hunt added: "It is encouraging to see the government wants dignity at the heart of the new NHS constitution, supported by a national awareness campaign. There are 700,000 people living with dementia in the UK and if we live past 65, one in three of us will die with dementia.

"Dignity and quality of care is key to supporting those affected and needs to be considered in the country's first-ever national dementia strategy due out later this year."