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Latest news - Highlighting the need to 'Act on Dementia'
As part of National Dementia Awareness week 4th-10th July, Gwalia and the University of Glamorgan held unique one day conference to focus on dementia in Wales. The event highlighted the urgent need to ensure we plan sufficiently for the challenges of an ageing population and the accordant increase in the number of people suffering from dementia.
There are 750,000 people with dementia in the UK, around 38,000 of them in Wales. This figure is set to reach 48,000 by 2021 and by 2050 an estimated 1.7 million people in the UK will have a form of dementia.
Chief Executive of Grŵp Gwalia, Michael Williams, says there is an urgent need to act now to ensure we plan sufficiently for the challenges of an ageing population and an accordant rise in the numbers of people suffering from dementia.
To this end, a unique one day conference focusing on dementia in Wales took place at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama in Cardiff on 13th July. ‘Act on Dementia’ was organised by Grŵp Gwalia and the University of Glamorgan to highlight the need to plan now for the country’s future dementia care needs. The day featured talks by representatives of the Alzheimer’s Society and the Welsh Assembly Government alongside the Welsh premiere of ‘The Lion’s Face’ – a new opera about dementia featuring Welsh Soprano Fflur Wyn as the daughter of a dementia carer.
“We held this event to unite individuals and organisations in that effort, to raise awareness and agree the crucial next steps”, said Mr Williams.
Grŵp Gwalia provides award-winning extra care schemes for older people in Swansea and Burry Port, and is about to open a new, £6 million extra care development with dedicated dementia care in Llanybydder, Carmarthenshire. Working in partnership with the University of Glamorgan, it has created a new model of support for people with dementia and their families. The two have also formed a joint company, ‘Habren’, which will help improve dementia care provision in Wales and develop innovative care models for other vulnerable groups.
Professor Donna Mead, Dean of Health, Sport & Science at the University of Glamorgan said: “The University, together with Grŵp Gwalia, were delighted to have the opportunity to promote ‘The Lion’s Face’. The importance of raising awareness about the need to develop responsive services for people with dementia and their families cannot be underestimated, as any family who is caring for a loved one with dementia will testify. The University of Glamorgan works closely with patients and carers to provide education programmes for health and social care staff which are appropriate to ensure that this vulnerable group of people receive the highest possible quality of care.”
For more information on Act on Dementia please contact act@gwalia.com or call 01792 460609.
