First Minister tackles dementia at Alzheimer’s Society conference

First Minister tackles dementia at Alzheimer’s Society conference

On Thursday the 7th of March the Alzheimer’s Society Cymru hosted their conference ‘Turning up the volume on action’ at City Hall, Cardiff. In the keynote speech, First Minister of the Welsh Assembly Rt Hon Mark Drakeford reaffirmed his cabinet’s commitment to the lives of people living with dementia.

First Minister Mark Drakeford said:

“Our focus is on recognising the rights of the people with dementia in Wales to feel valued and to live as independently as possible within their communities. But we all have a responsibility to respond to the challenge of dementia.”

He praised the success of the dementia friendly movement in mobilising practical action but stressed the need to do more, including suggesting flexible respite options for carers and personalised, high quality care in care homes and hospitals.

The First Minister also stressed the importance of research saying: 

“Many people believe the future of people with dementia is already written, but research can create a different tomorrow. Making Wales a Dementia Friendly nation is possible if we work together. We’re already seeing positive initiatives as a result.”

With 45,000 people living with dementia in Wales and no cure for the condition, research is a crucial element of the Alzheimer’s Society’s work.

Scientists from the Cardiff Dementia Research Institute also presented on their fascinating research at the facility, a multi-million pound investment into research on dementia and related conditions. Experts at the centre are collaborating with six other state-of-the-art centres across the UK and teams across Europe to unite in the fight to find new treatments and a possible cure for people living with dementia.

Sue Phelps, Country Director for Alzheimer’s Society Cymru says:

“Alzheimer’s Society Cymru is committed to helping people with dementia live as well as possible for as long as possible. For example, our Side by Side service helps people with dementia to keep doing the things they love by pairing them with local volunteers with shared interests.

“We were delighted to commission a series of short films about the wonderful work of our Dementia Friendly communities across Wales, including a sports group with Haverfordwest FC and the Artisans Collective Community in Prestatyn, Denbighshire. These films were enjoyed by nearly 200 attendees at the conference.”

Poet Patrick Jones closed the event with a number of moving creative writing performances by people with dementia from his creative writing groups across Wales.

Jim Ibell spoke passionately at the conference about his own experience of living with dementia:

“The conference was brilliant from start to finish. The Alzheimer’s Society has done so much for me and I’m keen to give back and share my experiences.

“As a person living with dementia I can feel very lonely but at the conference everyone came up to talk to me. It was wonderful to see so many people like me – living with dementia – hosting and participating in discussions.

“I think it’s important to show that people do have a life after being diagnosed with dementia – it’s not the end.”

For further information about Alzheimer’s Society Cymru, including support in your area go to alzheimers.org.uk