New data from Alzheimer’s Society Cymru shows the Welsh public wants dementia placed firmly at the top of the political agenda, with clear calls for better diagnosis, improved access to treatments and health and social care ready to meet growing demand.
The findings from more than a thousand adults surveyed across Wales come as the country continues to record some of the lowest dementia diagnosis rates in the UK, leaving thousands of families without clarity, support or access to treatments.
It’s estimated that 51,000 people are living with dementia in Wales, rising to 70,000 by 20401. Only 57% of people in Wales have a diagnosis2 and diagnosis rates are even lower in rural areas like Powys at 48%3.
Ensuring an early and accurate diagnosis remains a critical concern for voters with 91% of people who took part in the survey saying they believe that Wales must improve access to timely diagnosis. While 87% support increased investment in diagnostic services.
Though targeting diagnosis alone isn’t enough, with the Welsh public equally agreeing (91%) that it is important people with dementia have the right support to help unpaid carers.
Ceri Parry, from Cardiff, was forced into early retirement at the age of 55, due to insufficient support for her mum who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2020.
The former headteacher whose mum and mother-in-law are living with dementia, said: “I fully support improving early and accurate diagnosis, but this must also come with improved support and care for families afterwards. There’s five years between my relatives’ diagnoses and nothing changed, on both occasions we left with a leaflet and the unknown.
“The wait for improved diagnosis, treatment and support needs to end. Dementia must be top priority for the next Welsh Government, for families living with it now and for the many that are going to be living with it in the future.
“I’m very passionate that dementia services need to be tailored to an individual’s needs. We found there to be no diagnosis assessment available in the Welsh language, a fundamental issue if a diagnosis is to be accurate, safe and informed for people who speak Welsh as their first language.
“For both my relatives, this was a challenging part of our diagnosis experience and receiving professional care after. It’s more than feeling comfortable, it’s a clinical need. Ignoring someone’s identity is ignoring the person.”
Alzheimer’s Society Cymru’s survey also reveals that visible action including improving dementia services (72%), more funding into research (64%) and better access to treatments (63%) are key for convincing voters that government is committed to acting on dementia.
Gemma Roberts, Alzheimer’s Society National Influencing Manager, said:
“Dementia is Wales’s bigger killer and the biggest health and social care challenge of our time.
“Hope is on the horizon with new treatments emerging and faster, more accurate diagnosis. The science is flying but the system is failing and without transformation we risk people living with dementia in Wales missing out.
“We are at a turning point for dementia, and whoever forms the next Welsh government must publish and deliver a bold and ambitious new dementia strategy that revolutionises diagnosis and access to quality care, treatments and support.”
