Jane Dodds Calls for More Support for Dementia Carers

This week (16-22 May) is Dementia Action Week, where various organisations and individuals seek to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s and Dementia. This year’s theme is ‘diagnosis’ after it was revealed diagnosis rates of Alzheimer’s have fallen to a five-year low.

Alzheimer’s Society research shows that the misconception around memory loss being a sign of normal ageing is the biggest barrier to people seeking a dementia diagnosis.

Today in the Senedd, Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader and Mid & West Wales Member Jane Dodds called for greater awareness of Alzheimer’s and Dementia, as well as the invaluable work those who care for dementia suffers do, highlighting her own expereince of her mother having had the diease. 

Recent research by Carers Trust Wales showed that almost half of carers of people living with dementia reported that their health had deteriorated during the pandemic. The research also suggested that more should be done to recognise and identify unpaid carers so that they can access bespoke support services.

Commenting Jane Dodds said:

“I wanted to put on record my thanks to those communities and services for the work they do to support individuals living with dementia – particularly those in my region of Mid and West Wales. 

“As someone who was personally affected by dementia when my mother was diagnosed with the disease, I know all too well how critical both carers and charities work is and how important early diagnosis is for individuals and their families.  

“We have multiple examples of dementia-friendly schemes across the region including: the Brecon Dementia Friendly Community which won an award for their work in 2016; the Llanelli Market which was the first Dementia Friendly market in Wales in 2016; Alzheimer’s Society-run services in Pembrokeshire; Dementia Matter in Powys and Age Cymru Dyfed’s support services. 

“With only 53% of people living with dementia in Wales have a diagnosis however, it is vital that we continue to raise awareness. We also need to see more support put in place for the tens of thousands of unpaid carers in Wales, including those who care for relatives or friends with dementia.”