Age Scotland welcomes launch of new national dementia strategy

Following the publication of 'A New Dementia Strategy for Scotland: Everyone's Story', Age Scotland’s Head of Dementia, Dr Kainde Manji, said:

“We are delighted to welcome the Scottish Government’s new dementia strategy and commend the steps taken to involve people with lived experience at every stage of the process.

“This ten-year strategy is an ambitious long-term commitment to those living with dementia and their unpaid carers, whose stories feature heavily throughout the strategy document, with 2-year implementation plans in place to ensure delivery and accountability.

“The commitments outlined today represent an extremely positive step towards ensuring every person living with dementia receives the care and support they deserve, as well as recognising the needs of unpaid carers in their own right.

“The importance of community-based approaches came up time and time again during our engagement work, so it’s heartening to see a strategy which features such strong recognition of the role that Dementia Friendly Communities and Meeting Centres play in post-diagnostic support.

“Ultimately, the proof will be in the implementation of the strategy and how it delivers for those living with dementia and their carers. It is vital that we get that right, and we welcome the opportunity to be part of the strategy’s delivery group. Alongside our members, we look forward to our continued work with the Scottish Government to ensure the ambitions outlined become a reality."