Dementia care home figures revealed

Dementia affects half of the older adults living in care homes in Scotland, according to the release of new official figures.

Data released by the government shows that there has been an overall increase in the condition, which it is claimed it due to a long term trend in people living longer and better diagnosis.

Alex Neil, health secretary, stated the new data is an example of the challenges faced by the health service as more people are living longer.

"That's why I am committed to our dementia strategy, which puts in place high standards of care that ensure quality support for people with the condition, including in care homes," he said.

Mr Neil added he wants all people newly diagnosed with dementia to receive at least a year of person-centred post-diagnostic support, provided by a named person, by 2013.

Responding to the figures, Scottish Conservative health spokesman and deputy leader Jackson Carlaw MSP described dementia as a "timebomb".

Find out about dementia care and support services at Barchester care homes.