A survey of services for younger people with dementia.

OBJECTIVE

To identify the provision of services for younger people with dementia by trusts in England and to examine their attitudes towards specialization.

DESIGN

Postal survey.

PARTICIPANTS

Hospital and community trusts in England. Of 354 trusts, 304 responded (84%).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Provision of general adult and old age psychiatry services: type of services provided for younger people with dementia and specialists providing these services; provision of specialists services for younger people with dementia; attitudes towards developing specialists services; assessment of need.

RESULTS

The majority of services were provided by trusts with existing psychiatric services, in particular old age psychiatry services. Specialization was uncommon and practised by only 12 trusts. In contrast, 101 trusts saw the development of specialists services as 'necessary', especially those trusts who had investigated the needs of younger patients with dementia (p = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

This survey supports the notion that trusts and purchasers should undertake to assess the needs of younger patients with dementia. Role of specialization is discussed.