Louise Ritchie

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

Case studies (n=17)

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