Dementia in the workplaceDr Louise Ritchie
Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Awareness Week Conference 3rd June 2016.
@lourit
Dementia in the Workplace: Background
Age group 35-49 50-64 65+
2005 81.9% 64% 5.9%
2015 83.9% 68.9% 10.3%
Percentage of UK population employed or self employed by age group from 2005-2015
Source: Labour Force Survey, Office for National Statistics
Dementia in the workplace: the potential for continued employment post diagnosis
Alzheimer’s Society funded research study 2013-2015
Aim: To explore the employment related experiences of people with dementia or mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and attitudes of employers and/or co-workers towards supporting people with dementia, in order to identify the potential for continued employment post diagnosis
Interview Topics
1. Employment
Interview
2. First
problems
3.Impact on work
5.Support at work
4. Health
6. Home
and family
Participants
17 case studies
Case study A: RoseFemale Age 58NHS team leader (office based)Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease in 2014Disclosed diagnosis to employers via email setting out plans to continue employment and support she would require. After three months working she decided to take early retirement
Case study B: EdwardMaleAge 62JudgeDiagnosed with dementia in 2011Disclosed diagnosis to employers and was put on sick leaveTwo years later he was retired due to ill health
Findings1) Experiencing dementia in the workplace
i. Recognising dementiaii. Symptoms experienced
2) Supporting continued employmenti. Managing riskii. Support networkiii. Adjustmentsiv. Leaving work
3) Work keeps me welli. Managing symptoms betterii. Social connectednessiii. It was a relief to leave
4) Workplace perspectivesi. Doing the best we canii. Balancing business needsiii. Impact on colleagues
1) Experiencing dementia in the workplace
Initial problems were recognised in the workplace but not recognised as dementia
“I said okay, right, let’s get through this period then the stress will hopefully go away and things will get better.” (Head of business support)
Problems varied depending on the type of work the participant did
“That’s one of the first things that went was understanding of money.” (Shopkeeper)
2) Supporting continued employment
Supporting continued employment was complex and includes:
– Support networks (home and work)– Insight into abilities– Workplace adjustments– Support for leaving work
3) Work keeps me well
Perceived benefits of continuing employment “The more I do, the longer I’ll keep some sort of good function there.”(Head of Business support)
Contrasted with those who left employment
Conclusions
Each individual had a unique experience in the workplace
For many, appropriate support at an earlier stage may have prevented loss of employment
Support for employers and occupational health nurses is required
Thank you [email protected]
Dr Louise Ritchie Professor Debbie Tolson Professor Mike DansonAlzheimer Scotland Centre for Policy
and Practice Heriot-Watt University
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