Landmark dementia strategy unveiled

The government has announced plans for the first ever national dementia strategy, which will include an information campaign to bring the condition "out of the shadows".

Currently, there are about 600,000 people who suffer from with dementia in England, although with the country's ageing population, this is likely to double in the next thirty years.

After reports have revealed that the £3.3 billion invested in dementia per year is still not improving the situation, the government is set to promote better awareness of the condition and provide early diagnosis and high quality treatment and support.

Speaking during a visit to a mental health centre for older people in North Kensington, Care Services Minister Ivan Lewis said: "The scale of our ambition must now meet the scale of the challenge as demographic realities mean dementia will impact on an increasing number of families in our society. The current system is failing too many dementia sufferers and their carers.

"I am determined that this disease is brought out of the shadows. We need to minimise the shame and fear associated with dementia so that people and their relatives feel able to seek support at the earliest possible stage in the knowledge they will get expert help and be treated with dignity and respect."

Mr Lewis concluded: "Dementia is a unique illness with devastating consequences. We know that as people live longer an increasing number of families will have to cope with the harsh realities of dementia.

"It is of utmost importance that we have the right services in place for people with dementia as well as those who love and care for them. By concentrating on improving awareness, diagnosis and managing the disease we will help transform the lives of those with dementia by improving their quality of life."

Neil Hunt chief executive of the Alzheimer's Society, commented: "Dementia is the health and social care challenge of the century. This is an exciting opportunity to make sure the knowledge and expertise we now have about dementia care and treatment makes a difference to the lives of thousands of people throughout England."


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