Dementia Action Week

Jim Shannon intervened to highlight the positive impact of music on people with dementia. He cited a charity's claim that daily singing or listening to music more than doubles the quality of life for those with dementia while halving their depressive symptoms, suggesting that introducing this charity to the Government’s strategy could be beneficial.

Ms. Kendall argued that dealing with dementia requires more funding for research and transforming support for families of those affected by dementia, suggesting the need for joined-up services to help carers better navigate their responsibilities. She also called on the government to reform social care and promised a 10-year plan of investment from Labour.

Ms. Mumby-Croft emphasised the personal impact of dementia, referencing her grandmother's experience in North Lincolnshire, where she received good care after moving from another authority. She urged for consistent standards across local authorities and highlighted the challenges faced by families navigating administration post-diagnosis.

It is an absolute privilege to speak in this debate today. The hon. Member for Scunthorpe spoke poignantly about dementia care, highlighting the importance of psychological and mental health alongside physical health needs. Dementia affects around 90,000 people in Scotland currently, and the Scottish Government are committed to delivering a modern social care service including a national care service that benefits those living with dementia and their families. There has been a drop of about 6% in diagnosis rates between the start of 2020 and February 2021 due to this pandemic; accurate early diagnosis is crucial, and investment is needed for early diagnosis and treatment. The Scottish Government published an action plan in December 2020 which sets out commitments to assess impact and respond to needs across all care settings at diagnosis and throughout the dementia care journey. Scotland has free personal care, a living wage of £9.30 per hour for social care staff, and includes them in bonus payments during covid-19. Investment in psychological therapies is also crucial.

Dementia has become the leading cause of death in England and Wales last month. The UK Dementia Research Institute reports that effective treatments for dementia are within reach, but only 0.3% of current costs are invested in research. We pledged to launch a dementia moonshot to find a cure by doubling research funding and speeding up trials for new treatments. Early diagnosis is crucial for clinical trials. The Department should consider how to improve diagnosis rates further and recognise the value of technological advances like apps in diagnosis, along with healthy diet and exercise as preventive measures.

The debate is an opportunity to highlight the urgent need for social care reform. People with dementia face devastating care costs of £30,000 a year on average and often receive inappropriate care due to lack of training for care staff and disconnect between health and social care. The pandemic has presented challenges for family carers who have undertaken 92 million extra hours of care; respite provision must be supported. Social care reforms should provide universal access to healthcare and social care free at the point of need, with progressive taxation as funding. People with dementia should live independently and participate in activities they enjoy. Care needs to be person-centred and staff valued and paid appropriately.

Dementia is a heartrending disease that devastates lives. In my constituency, there are 4,292 diagnosed cases of dementia annually, but this number likely underrepresents the true extent of the issue due to many undiagnosed individuals. The Government's dementia strategy should be fully supported and implemented to leverage advancements in imaging, AI, and genetics for early detection and effective treatment.

Dementia affects a significant portion of my constituents; 2,665 people over the age of 65 have dementia in Stockton-on-Tees, with nearly 60% suffering from severe forms necessitating comprehensive support and social care. Teesside Dementia Link Services provides essential aid to those affected by dementia through various support mechanisms. The Government's commitment to curing dementia and reforming social care is commendable but must be accelerated.

Dementia impacts over 10 million people annually worldwide, with one new case diagnosed every three seconds. In my constituency of Stockport, almost 4,500 people aged 65 and over have dementia, expected to rise to nearly 6,000 by the end of this decade. The Government must address chronic underfunding in our social care system that has left it struggling to cope and difficult to access for those living with dementia.

She discussed the challenges faced by families dealing with dementia, citing her father-in-law's struggle with vascular dementia. She pointed out that underfunding and neglect have left the care system inadequate, and she called for increased awareness to support organisations striving to improve care and find better treatments.

The MP highlighted the work done by local charities such as Dementia Friendly Keighley, which provides help for those with dementia. He praised Barbara Wood's efforts in supporting individuals affected by dementia and emphasised the importance of early diagnosis.

She addressed the growing demand for social care services due to an ageing population, noting that the current market is not capable of providing sustainable solutions. She stressed the need for local government reforms and better terms and conditions for the care workforce.

Mr. Graham highlighted the emotional toll of dementia on families and praised NHS trusts in Gloucestershire for their efforts to improve dementia care through initiatives like the purple butterfly scheme. He also asked the Minister about international research, Alzheimer's research progress, and faster diagnosis methods.

Ms. Gibson shared her personal experience with dementia through her mother-in-law’s journey from being an active councillor to a care home resident due to the disease's progression. She emphasised the need for more research, early diagnosis importance, and advocated for continued funding to combat dementia.

Mr. Bristow discussed his family’s experience with dementia, praising the Government's commitment to doubling dementia research funding. He expressed concerns about delays in diagnosis and access to care packages and mentioned a rise in anti-psychotic drug prescriptions for dementia patients.

Ms. Davies-Jones addressed the impact of sports-related concussions on athletes' risk of developing dementia, particularly focusing on football and rugby. She highlighted ongoing efforts to improve concussion management in sports and called for better support from governing bodies.

Shannon acknowledged that dementia is one of the leading causes of death in the UK and highlighted that some 850,000 people are living with dementia. He mentioned the need for research into the benefits of music therapy and the importance of providing sufficient respite to carers looking after those with dementia. Shannon also praised charities like Alzheimer’s Society and Music for Dementia.

Kendall emphasised the need for social care reform, urging that families should be seen as genuine partners in the care process. She stressed the importance of valuing and supporting staff who work in dementia care, highlighting issues such as high vacancy rates and zero-hours contracts before the pandemic. Kendall also called for a national strategy to transform pay, training, and terms and conditions for the care workforce.

Emphasised how dementia's stigma is being overcome.

Spoke about her family experience and the challenges of navigating the system post-diagnosis.

Stressed the importance of early diagnosis for support and research, and highlighted diet and exercise in prevention.

Discussed how dementia affects entire families and shared a personal story about his grandmother's experience.

Focussed on carers who are frail or employed, and highlighted the work of Teesside Dementia Link Services.

Stressed treating those with dementia with dignity and shared personal experiences with his grandfathers.

Praised Dementia Friendly Keighley for bringing people together and providing support, mentioning Barbara Wood's efforts.

Discussed the opportunity to take the same approach to curing dementia as was taken with covid vaccines, stressed the need for close monitoring of antipsychotic medication use in care homes during the pandemic.

Called for social care reform including funding changes to prevent home sales for care costs and supported dementia research.