Across the European Union, dementia is emerging as a policy priority. It is estimated that 7.3 million Europeans are living with dementia with the numbers set to increase to 15 million by 2050. This policy brief aims to stimulate debate and drive improvements in dementia research, diagnosis, treatment and care by identifying key priorities for action at the Member State and EU level. It argues...
Across the European Union, dementia is emerging as a policy priority. It is estimated that 7.3 million Europeans are living with dementia with the numbers set to increase to 15 million by 2050. This policy brief aims to stimulate debate and drive improvements in dementia research, diagnosis, treatment and care by identifying key priorities for action at the Member State and EU level. It argues that governments in all EU countries need to prioritise spending on dementia and reconcile need, want and value for the public purse in the coming years. Policy interventions will reap rewards, particularly with regard to early diagnosis, prevention, and investment in research and development. There is increasing evidence to show early diagnosis coupled with effective early interventions and services are cost effective, not only in terms of net savings but also in terms of the positive social outcomes for the patients’ families and caregivers. This policy brief also argues for an enhanced role for the EU Institutions to foster, promote and stimulate collaboration between EU Member States.
This Report summarises the presentations, discussions and ideas which emerged from the Ministerial Dementia Research Summit held on 21st July 2009 at the Royal Society in London. The purpose of the Summit was to identify gaps in existing knowledge and to prioritise new areas for research in the dementia field, including improving the quality of care services and appraising specific interventions...
This Report summarises the presentations, discussions and ideas which emerged from the Ministerial Dementia Research Summit held on 21st July 2009 at the Royal Society in London. The purpose of the Summit was to identify gaps in existing knowledge and to prioritise new areas for research in the dementia field, including improving the quality of care services and appraising specific interventions, and also more basic work on the causes of dementia or on the possibility of cure. In addition to helping to develop a more clearly prioritised research agenda, the Summit also aimed to focus on ways to support the current science base and sharpen its impact. This could include better coordination of research effort, actions to increase the competitiveness of research bids and/or enhance the translation of research into effective practice.
Examines the social stigma which surrounds dementia, highlighting that stigma is impeding early diagnosis, care and research into the disease. The report, published by the International Longevity Centre UK (ILC-UK) in collaboration with the MRC, Alzheimer’s Research UK, Alzheimer’s Society and supported by the drug company Pfizer, discusses the impact the fear around dementia has on those living...
(Edited publisher abstract)
Examines the social stigma which surrounds dementia, highlighting that stigma is impeding early diagnosis, care and research into the disease. The report, published by the International Longevity Centre UK (ILC-UK) in collaboration with the MRC, Alzheimer’s Research UK, Alzheimer’s Society and supported by the drug company Pfizer, discusses the impact the fear around dementia has on those living with the condition, their families and carers, which prevents the research community from capturing a full picture of the disease. According to data in the report, people over the age of 55 fear being diagnosed with dementia more than any other condition and at least 1 in 4 people hide their diagnosis, citing stigma as the reason. The issue of stigma is widely acknowledged as a serious challenge for people with dementia and their carers at the individual, family and societal level, and serves as a barrier to access care, support and treatment. The report considers the causes of stigma and explore this from a multidisciplinary perspective. After holding a high level discussion in the House of Lords, the themes that emerged were explored in this compendium, with contributions from across academia, the public and private sector and the voluntary sector.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
dementia, stigma, discrimination, mental health problems, stereotyped attitudes, diagnosis, early intervention;
A report calling for a gendered approach and response to dementia at the national and international level. The report is presented in the form of an evidence review, composed from a literature review of a range of quantitative and qualitative data including: academic, clinical and research papers and grey literature.The report posits that women will disproportionately bear the burden of dementia...
(Edited publisher abstract)
A report calling for a gendered approach and response to dementia at the national and international level. The report is presented in the form of an evidence review, composed from a literature review of a range of quantitative and qualitative data including: academic, clinical and research papers and grey literature.The report posits that women will disproportionately bear the burden of dementia in terms of numbers, but also impact in the coming years. The ‘feminisation of ageing’ is a widely recognised trend and yet hitherto a comprehensive approach to the impact of dementia on women remains largely under explored. Invariably women and men as they age, share many of the same fundamental needs. Yet older women are particularly vulnerable and are subject to prolonged inequalities experienced since childhood, for example, lower levels of education and a greater risk of poverty. This report assumes a life course approach to the challenge of dementia and women, arguing from a global perspective that women face a ‘triple jeopardy’ as a result of the associated stigma attached to their age, gender and decline in cognitive functions. It makes a number of recommendations for improving outcomes and interventions for women, which include: dementia health policies and programmes should incorporate a gender dimension in their design, delivery and evaluation; gender should be included as a key health determinant in the promotion and disease prevention of dementia; dementia research at the regional, national and international level needs to be disaggregated by gender and age; women and men should be equally represented and involved at the micro and macro level of decision-making with regard to the development of health and social care policies and resource allocation as they pertain to dementia. The report calls for greater interdisciplinary research incorporating the biological and social models of health for men and women to improve health interventions and outcomes.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
dementia, women, gender, inequalities, mental health, social care provision;
The Big Society agenda is particularly relevant to long term care for older people. The aim of this paper is to consider how or whether the Big Society can deliver care for older people with dementia. Little attempt has been made by policy-makers to relate dementia to the Big Society agenda. There seems to have been a silent assumption that Big Society applies most to those with physically...
The Big Society agenda is particularly relevant to long term care for older people. The aim of this paper is to consider how or whether the Big Society can deliver care for older people with dementia. Little attempt has been made by policy-makers to relate dementia to the Big Society agenda. There seems to have been a silent assumption that Big Society applies most to those with physically disabilities and older frail people who require ‘a bit of help’ around the home or in going out. In contrast, dementia can result in a devastating loss of cognitive and intellectual functions, often accompanied by changes in psychological and emotional states, and straddles the frontier between health and social care. The first section of this paper considers the failure of the welfare state in meeting the needs of long term care. The bedrock of dementia care is provided in the form of informal care by family and friends. The paper then looks at dementia in more detail, before outlining how the Big Society and social productivity concepts may be relevant to considering how dementia is treated and managed. The paper argues that responding to the challenge of dementia will require enormous investment by the state in coming decades. Although there is certainly a role for individuals, families and communities in dementia care, it is necessary to move towards the more expansive concept of social productivity, in order to think more holistically about how to mobilise a range of public and private resources in long term care provision.
Subject terms:
long term care, older people, welfare state, communities, dementia, families, government policy;
This report examines the current landscape of using therapeutic music with people with dementia, outlines the value and benefits of music therapy, and looks at what needs to be done to ensure that everyone with dementia is able to access music. Informed by the Commission on Dementia and Music, the report brings together a wide range of evidence, including academic papers, written and oral...
(Edited publisher abstract)
This report examines the current landscape of using therapeutic music with people with dementia, outlines the value and benefits of music therapy, and looks at what needs to be done to ensure that everyone with dementia is able to access music. Informed by the Commission on Dementia and Music, the report brings together a wide range of evidence, including academic papers, written and oral evidence, and evidence from site visits. The evidence shows that music can help to minimise symptoms of dementia, such as agitation and can help tackle anxiety and depression. Evidence also shows that music can help improves the quality of life for people with dementia by increasing social interaction and decreasing stress. The report also shows that although the dementia and music environment is supported by a dedicated network of individuals and organisations, they work in a complex and poorly coordinate system. The field is also defined by sporadic access, with only relatively few people with dementia having access. It concludes that the sector would benefit from increased funding, further cost-effective research to boost recognition and funding, and increased public awareness about the benefits of music. The report includes recommendations to help improve access to music for people with dementia.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
dementia, music, music therapy, case studies, intervention, quality of life, arts, policy, access to services;