Dame Nia Griffith MP supports Alzheimer’s Society during Dementia Action Week

AS part of Dementia Action Week 2024 (13-19 May 2024), Dame Nia Griffith, Member of Parliament for Llanelli, attended a Parliamentary drop-in hosted by Alzheimer’s Society and lent her support to the charity’s call for urgent action to improve dementia diagnosis.

Dementia is the UK’s biggest killer and 1 in 3 people born today will develop the condition. There are currently almost 1 million people in the UK with dementia, yet it is estimated that in Wales 1 in 2 people with dementia have not been diagnosed.

This means that thousands of people are facing dementia alone, without access to the vital care and support that a diagnosis can bring. Early diagnosis is crucial to manage dementia symptoms and avoid ending up in crisis.

Alzheimer’s Society is calling on Governments across the UK to do more to make sure people receive an early and accurate dementia diagnosis. The charity wants to see ambitious but achievable new dementia diagnosis rate targets set for the future, action to address regional variation in diagnosis rates and investment into the workforce and equipment needed to diagnose more people early and accurately.

At the drop-in, Dame Nia learned about the importance of a dementia diagnosis in giving people access to the care and support they need, as well as in planning for the future. Early and accurate diagnosis is also key in identifying people who could be eligible for potential disease-modifying treatments for Alzheimer’s disease and ensuring they don’t miss out.

Dame Nia Griffith MP said:

“With one in two people living with dementia in Wales still without a diagnosis, it is vital that we drive up diagnosis rates in Llanelli and across the UK.”

“Everyone living with dementia deserves an early diagnosis and to know what type they have, to allow them to access the treatment and support they deserve.”

Fiona Carragher, Director of Research and Influencing at Alzheimer’s Society said:

“Getting a dementia diagnosis can be daunting, but we believe it’s better to know. 9 out of 10 people with dementia told us they benefitted from receiving a diagnosis as it unlocked treatment and support.

“We thank Dame Nia for attending our drop-in and showing their support this Dementia Action Week. Dementia is the biggest health and social care issue of our time, it’s the UK’s biggest killer, and yet it isn’t the priority it should be amongst decision-makers.

“If we don’t address diagnosis, we have no hope of addressing the major dementia challenges we are faced with now and in the future.”

If you’re worried about yourself, or someone close to you, then check your symptoms today using Alzheimer’s Society’s symptom checklist.  Visit alzheimers.org.uk/checklist or call the Dementia Support Line on 0333 150 3456 (0333 094 7400 yn Gymraeg).