The Welsh government has revealed their Dementia Action Plan for Wales 2018-2022. The report, which includes an outline for additional financial support and resources for people living with dementia and physicians alike, presents a clear vision for overcoming the challenges presented by the condition.
Alzheimer’s Research UK, the UK’s leading dementia charity, is happy to see this formal plan come to fruition after giving feedback on the proposed draft last year.
Helen Davies, Head of Public Affairs for Alzheimer’s Research UK, said:
“The Dementia Action Plan for Wales goes beyond acknowledging the seriousness of the condition. The plan highlights the far-reaching impact of dementia for the estimated 43,000 people in Wales living with the condition, their carers, medical professionals and society as a whole.
“The emphasis placed on timely and early diagnoses for people with dementia and the strong plan to support new efforts is worthy of praise. In 2016-2017, the diagnosis rate in Wales was just 54 percent, a figure that stands to be improved through this renewed commitment to diagnosis.
“We applaud the Welsh government’s plans to increase public awareness about dementia and the ways to reduce the risk of the condition. Open discussion about dementia is vital if we are to improve the lives of people with the condition, help people to take steps to reduce their risk and bring more people on board with our efforts to defeat dementia.
“We believe research will help create a world free from the fear, harm and heartbreak of dementia, and are encouraged by the increased support for research in the Welsh plan. We are pleased to see a continued commitment to work with several research organisations, including the UK Dementia Research Institute, of which Alzheimer’s Research UK is a founding charity member and has committed to funding £50 million in research.
“We would encourage those in Wales who are interested in taking part in research to do so through Join Dementia Research, a UK-wide effort to build our understanding of the diseases that cause dementia. To sign up, visit www.joindementiaresearch.nihr.ac.uk”
