Government launches first ever national dementia strategy

In a move aimed at normalising perception of the disease, the government has announced the launch of its first ever national strategy on dementia.

Describing the disease as one of the major challenges facing society, the Department of Health notes that at present 600,000 people suffer from the condition, with this figure expected to double over the next three decades.

According to surveys and other reports, there are three major spheres requiring significant improvement for dementia patients.

These are: a better awareness of the condition and a reduction of stigma associated with the disease, early diagnosis of the condition by healthcare workers and the widening availability of high-quality treatment.

Ivan Lewis, care services minister, 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”.

He added that shame and fear associated with the disease needs to be banished as much as possible, with patients and relatives seeking care at the earliest possible juncture with the assurance of receiving superior care with dignity.

This announcement follows a call from The Alzheimer’s Society in June calling for care for dementia sufferers to become a national priority.