The Scottish government is inviting views from people with an interest in, or experiences with, dementia to assist in the development of a 'new story' for dementia support and care.

A National Conversation on a new dementia strategy for Scotland has today been launched, with the aim of meaningfully capturing the experiences of people living with, or caring for someone with, dementia.

Six open questions, ranging from what support currently works well and what challenges need to be addressed, are included within the consultation document.

The Scottish government says its new strategy will set out a 'new story’ and broaden the discussion on what needs to be done to ensure people living with dementia and their families and carers are supported to live well, in a way that suits them.

The CEO of Alzheimer’s Scotland, Henry Simmons, told attendees of a dementia conference last month that people do not currently feel empowered in the health and social care system in Scotland.

He said that the dementia community must “work strategically with government” so ministers can understand the scale of the challenge and lay out a “transformational” strategy going forward.

The Scottish government says it will go ‘above and beyond efforts’ to ensure voices of lived experience are heard throughout the process.

A number of engagement events will run throughout October and November.

The National Dementia Lived Experience Panel will also work closely with the Scottish government throughout this to develop the strategy.

Responses to the call for views are welcomed until the 5^th of December, after which they will be collated and analysed.

The Scottish government says it aims to publish a new outcomes focused strategy on dementia, covering ‘all aspects of life for someone with dementia’, by April 2023.

 

 

Read more: Voices of experience key to dementia care; Music's potential to help with dementia; Insight: Dementia's hidden injustices

 

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