Leading the Welsh Conservatives’ debate in the National Assembly for Wales today, Aberconwy AM, Janet Finch-Saunders, has highlighted the contribution of older people to Wales, and called on the Welsh Government to work to make Wales the first Dementia Friendly Nation in the UK.
Janet said: “On Remembrance Sunday, many of us witnessed a generation who have lived through war, faced famine and rationing, and stood up proud to protect our country and the freedoms we all enjoy today.
“They have not only paid their dues, worked hard and raised families, in their latter years they continue to create a wealth to our economy of over £1 billon through unpaid care, community work, supporting families and fulfilling volunteering roles.
“Older people are disproportionally affected by poor health, and issues such as dehydration, which can lead to complications including sepsis.
“Dementia affects over 45,000 people in Wales, so often goes undiagnosed yet has now overtaken heart disease as the biggest cause of death in the UK.
“It is vital that we look to improve awareness of these concerns – within the health and social care sector, and general public understanding – to ensure improved public health outcomes amongst our older generation.
“Wales lags behind England, Scotland and Northern Ireland in terms of dementia diagnosis, awareness and support, and it is vital that the Welsh Government seeks to address this urgently to make Wales the first Dementia Friendly Nation in the UK.
Notes
Link to video: http://senedd.tv/Meeting/Live/c7855823-05c6-4be9-829d-6fbe0df14f40
Demographics:
- From 2012 to 2037, the number of people aged 65 or over in Wales is projected to increase by 50% to 292,000.
- Conwy County Borough Council has the highest proportion of over-65s in Wales, making up 26.1% of the population.
Dementia:
- More than 45,000 people in Wales are currently living with dementia
- This figure is expected to exceed 55,000 by 2021,
- And over 100,000 by 2055
- We saw this week that dementia has now overtaken heart disease as the biggest cause of death in Britain, accounting for 11.6% of all recorded deaths
- Despite this, Wales has the lowest diagnosis rate in the whole of the UK – only 43% of those with dementia have been given a formal diagnosis, compared to 64% in Northern Ireland and Scotland.
- The Welsh Conservatives want to see Wales become a Dementia Friendly Nation. This is a key priority in England and Scotland…
- The UK Government – launched ‘Challenge on Dementia 2020’ in 2015, to improve treatment and care, and has already invested £50m in creating dementia friendly environments in hospitals and care homes, and training given to 500,000 NHS staff (with more up to 2018)
- Since 2007, the Scottish Government has trained over 500 Dementia Champions to lead improvements with frontline NHS Staff, and 800 Dementia Ambassadors working to develop skills and knowledge locally
- Yet in Wales, we have just 32 Welsh Government-funded dementia support workers across the whole country, and a shocking 1 in 10 of those diagnosed were not given any support at all in the first year after their diagnosis