At today’s G8 Dementia Summit, the Alzheimers Society Chief Executive, Jeremy Hughes, is anticipated to pledge at least £100million to dementia research over the next decade and David Cameron is to announce doubling the UK’s annual funding. This is the first time a Prime Minister has used the presidency of the G8 to take action on a single disease. It is hoped that the package of announcements to be made by the UK government will set an example to other G8 nations in international research efforts.

Adam Fletcher, chair of the Kirklees Local Dementia Action Alliance (KLDAA) and Managing Partner at Ridley & Hall commented “Today hopefully marks the dawn of a new era in dementia care and awareness. Whilst today’s announcement is clearly welcomed, the level of funding committed is still significantly lower than that committed to cancer research and care. According to the Alzheimers Society, 8 times more money is spent researching cancer than dementia. Recent statistics have revealed a sharp rise in the number of people living with dementia globally. Dementia is without doubt the largest social care and health challenge worldwide. Globally, 44 million people have dementia but no statistics are available about the number of carers and the challenges they face.”

Kirklees is taking a lead on raising the awareness of people living with dementia with a focus to improving the lives of people with dementia in the borough and is to officially launch the Kirklees Local Dementia Action Alliance in Spring 2014.

Adam went on to add, “Whilst we have little control over international policy and we are a relatively small region, I am encouraged by the individuals and organisations within Kirklees who are working tirelessly towards our community becoming dementia-friendly. As a small step, I would encourage everyone to become a dementia friend, which is an Alzheimers Society initiative launched by the Prime Minister in November 2012.”

If you care about people living with dementia, your organisation has an interest in helping to make life better for those living with dementia, or if your staff interact with or care for people with dementia, the KLDAA may be able to help you. For more information, please contact Adam Fletcher or Helen Webster on Huddersfield (01484) 558863 or 558878.