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Care Needs of Ethnic Older Persons Suffering from Alzheimer’s (CNEOPSA)
First of its kind initiative, and first such products in the UK and Europe, which two ministers’ of health called the publication and film as ‘impressive’; ‘authoritative’ . Glaxo commended the work.
This project aimed to create culturally appropriate care for BME dementia sufferers and to raise awareness of the condition within communities. It derives from a 1998 PRIAE study which has proved seminal to developments in this area. The pioneering work has come to the attention of policy makers and has been reflected in key policy documents including the National Service Framework for Older People.
A key product from the initiative is (a) a research study covering the UK, France, Denmark which showed the paucity of data and very few individuals and organisations struggling to address the issue.
A key finding from the research was that BME elders, professionals and policymakers alike needed to have their awareness raised about how dementia affects BME communities – and in turn could refer family members at an earlier stage of the condition rather than later as the research found. This led to the production of a European film covering UK, Netherlands, Finland and Spain as an awareness raising and communication tool. This represented the first film for BME elders and dementia across Europe and has been used by mental health professionals to generate early referrals. The study produced clear recommendations as attached.
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