International Perspective on Dementia Friendly Communities

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International Perspective on Dementia Friendly
Communities
Dr. Jacob Roy Kuriakose Chairman,
ADI
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Why are dementia friendly societies important?

1. Increasing numbers
2. Negative cultural attitude
3. Discrimination leading to social isolation
4. Stigma
5. Barriers in the physical environment
6. Poor designs

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Examples from various countries!!!

• Dementia trends scheme (UK) 1million people to be
  trained in dementia care
• National wide caravan
• Champions to train one million supporters in next
  five years (Japan)
• Dementia with out walls (England)
• Together for a dementia friendly brings (Belgium)
• Dementia friendly communities (Scotland)
• Dementia friendly hospitals (UK)

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About Alzheimers Disease International (ADI)

• Established 1984
• The umbrella organisation of Alzheimer
  associations around the world
• 79 member associations

Aims to help establish and strengthen Alzheimer
associations throughout the world, and to raise
global awareness about Alzheimer's disease and
all other causes of dementia
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Dementia Worldwide
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Dementia Worldwide

• US604 billion in 2010
• Includes direct medical costs, direct non-medical
  costs and costs of informal (family) care

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World Alzheimers Month
September is World Alzheimers Month 21 September
is World Alzheimers Day

• 2012 first World Alzheimers Month
• 2012 Dementia living together
• 70 countries participated
• 2013 A Journey of Caring
• World Alzheimer Report on continuum of care
• Facebook campaign

www.alz.co.uk/world-alzheimers-month
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World Health Organization
In Official Relations with WHO since 1996

• Advocating for dementia to be a global health
  priority
• Statements given by ADI representatives at
  regional meetings of the WHO
• Present at World Health Assembly each year
• Collaborated with WHO on dementia report

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WHO report on dementia
Dementia a public health priority

• Launched on 11 April 2012
• International collaboration between ADI and WHO
• A new case of dementia every 4 seconds
• Inclusion of ADIs figures from World Alzheimer
  Reports
• Call for WHO member nations to act now

www.alz.co.uk/WHO-dementia-report
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Advocacy

• Advocacy as part of the NCD Alliance
  (non-communicable diseases)
• Joint statement on NCDs with 10 other ageing and
  care organisations
• Consultative status with United Nations since
  August 2012
• Tracking national dementia plans

www.alz.co.uk/alzheimer-plans
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Towards dementia friendly initiative

• UK undoubtedly the major player in developing and
  implementing the concept.
• US, Ireland, Australia, Japan, Belgium
• Reports of quality work have already emerged the
  concept is catching up internationally but in
  different shapes and forms.

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Key messages relevant internationally

• There should be an integrated approach relevant
  to local circumstancesto enable people with
  dementia live successfully in the society
•  Social inclusiveness is the heart of the concept
• Any measure should be aimed at improving the
  quality of life

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In international context, transferable criteria
include

• There should be a conducive social and physical
  environment
• Strong network of carers and supporters is
  essential
• People with dementia and their carers should be
  the key decision makers
• The whole community should be dementia aware most
  communities already have several good dementia
  friendly aspects, they only need further
  adaptations
• Better information packages and custom built
  training should be available
• Dementia friends, the responsibilities should
  be culturally appropriate and locally relevant
• Social welfare aspects of elderly with dementia
  is the most diverse aspect with many countries
  having no or minimal provisions.

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Organisations in the UK like Alz Soc. can take a
lead role internationally 

• In the development and implementation of DFC
• Create a database
• Provide a network
• Evaluate the progress
• Advise on guidelines for recognition of DFC
• Identify key areas of DFC research

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The way forward

• UK has been leading the way
• Create a more inclusive society
• Where a person with dementia can lead a life of
  honour and dignity

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Thank You