Alzheimer's Research UK

Dementia Declaration announced

26/10/2010

The Alzheimer’s Research Trust has joined with 44 other organisations to form the Dementia Action Alliance, the largest ever united front against dementia. Today the group announces its Dementia Declaration, an unprecedented plan that aims to bring about radical change and to transform quality of life for people living with dementia. 

The Dementia Action Alliance which includes charities, public bodies and companies has made a series of commitments including to ensure that their work is informed by the view of people with dementia and their carers. Working in partnership with other organisations to share best practice and knowledge is also encompassed in the pledge.

Rebecca Wood, Chief Executive of the Alzheimer’s Research Trust, the UK’s leading dementia research charity, is a signatory of a letter published in today’s Telegraph:

“Dementia is one of the greatest challenges facing our ageing population. With 750,000 people living with the condition in the UK and the cost to the economy already reaching £20bn a year, there’s no time to delay.

“While the scale of the problem is big, our ambition is bigger. Today, 45 organisations have come together to form the Dementia Action Alliance. As a group we have no intention of being just a talking shop. Today we have signed a National Dementia Declaration which sets in stone our very real commitment to transforming the lives of people with dementia and their carers. It is a national action plan that allows us to work in partnership to combine our reach, expertise and membership to defeat dementia. Our goal is a future where people get an early diagnosis, receive the help they need and ultimately where research delivers a cure. Together we can tackle dementia.

“Yours Sincerely
Dementia Action Alliance”

The National Dementia Declaration is being launched today at the Department of Health conference, Improving Dementia Care in London.

The Declaration explains the huge challenges presented to our society by dementia and some of the outcomes the Alliance is seeking to achieve for people with dementia and their carers. Outcomes range from ensuring people with dementia have choice and control over decisions about their lives, to feeling a valued part of family, community and civic life.

The Alzheimer’s Research Trust has an action plan which sets out what we will do to secure these outcomes and improve the quality of life of people with dementia by 2014. Our action plan includes:

• The Alzheimer's Research Trust's ultimate aim is to fund scientific studies to find ways to treat, cure or prevent Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.

• The Alzheimer's Research Trust's focuses on research to offer hope for people with dementia and their carers. For example, a blood test to detect Alzheimer's at the earliest possible stage is one area of research we are currently funding that could significantly improve the picture for people with dementia.

• The Alzheimer's Research Trust is committed to raising awareness of dementia with the general public through better understanding of our research, scientific developments and real life stories to help people seek treatment and the best possible care as early as possible.