“The Alzheimer’s Society is leading a movement of dementia-friendly cities and towns across the country.
In Plymouth everyone from the Naval Base to the Raiders basketball team has joined forces.”
David Cameron, has urged communities to follow Plymouth’s example in raising awareness and supporting people with dementia.
The Prime Minister singled out the work being undertaken in the city hailing it as “incredibly heartening”.
It came as he said that tackling the “national crisis” posed by the disease is one of his personal priorities.
The PM announced funding for research into dementia is to be more than doubled by 2015 in a bid to make Britain a world leader in the field.
Plymouth saw the launch of the country’s first local ‘dementia action alliance’ last year. Dozens of people from public services, businesses and charities signed up to scheme, led by the Alzheimer’s Society, including the city council, representatives from the NHS, police, Plymouth Argyle, Plymouth Raiders, charities and businesses.
There are estimated to be more than 3,100 people with dementia in Plymouth, of which Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form.
Issuing a call for action, Mr Cameron highlighted steps already being taken. He said:
“The Alzheimer’s Society is leading a movement of dementia-friendly cities and towns across the country.
In Plymouth everyone from the Naval Base to the Raiders basketball team has joined forces.
Groups in York, Plymouth, Bradford, Sheffield, Leeds and Liverpool have come together to do their bit.
All this is incredibly heartening – and my message to everyone in this country… communities, businesses, individuals, charities, is that we need to see much more of it.
Launching a “national challenge on dementia”, Mr Cameron said:
“One of the greatest challenges of our time is what I’d call the quiet crisis, one that steals lives and tears at the hearts of families, but that relative to its impact is hardly acknowledged.
Dementia is simply a terrible disease. And it is a scandal that we as a country haven’t kept pace with it. The level of diagnosis, understanding and awareness of dementia is shockingly low. It is as though we’ve been in collective denial.
We need an all-out fight-back against this disease; one that cuts across society.”
Plymouth-based Alzheimer’s Society trustee Ian Sherriff said:
“The Society and myself welcome the Prime Minister’s challenge. Action is needed because of the size of the problem. We are dealing with a massive increase in dementia worldwide. In our city we have more than 3,000 people with dementia. That’s colossal, and the numbers are growing.”
Mr Sherriff said Plymouth representatives will be involved in one of three ‘working groups’ championing dementia friendly cities.
More than 30 organisations have signed up to the city’s action alliance since it was launched in May last year.