A&E attendance for people with dementia is common and increasing

Simon Jones, Director of Policy and Public Affairs for Marie Curie said:

 “Admissions to A&E for people with dementia in the last year of life are often unnecessary and avoidable. We know that, with the right support and resources in place, it is possible to deliver high-quality end of life care within the community.

“This research adds to the growing evidence that health and social care services are simply not receiving enough support to ensure that people receive the care that they need. Hospital can be the worst possible environment for someone suffering from the confusion associated with dementia and it should not be considered the default place for people to be cared for in their final days.”

“One third of people in the UK aged over 65 will die from some form of dementia and many are currently not getting the care that they need and deserve. With numbers only set to increase, thousands will continue to experience unnecessary pain and distress at the end of their lives unless drastic measures are taken.”