Working together to create a dementia-friendly Wales
More than 1.2 million people in England and Wales will have dementia by 2040, new research suggests. Meanwhile, dementia diagnosis rates in Wales are the worst in the UK. Health correspondent Mark Smith reports on how researchers in Cardiff are at the van
DEMENTIA has been described as the 21st century’s biggest killer. Latest figures show there are currently 45,000 people living with a form of the condition in Wales, but this is expected to increase to more than 100,000 people by 2055.
The likelihood of developing dementia increases significantly with age, but as many as 40,000 people under the age of 65 are thought to have dementia across the UK.
While there are many ways people can try to reduce their risk of dementia, such as exercising regularly, drinking less alcohol and eating healthily, there is no magic pill to stop it in its tracks.
Melanie Andrews, operations manager for Alzheimer’s Society Cymru in south east Wales, said: “Dementia doesn’t care who you are; it could affect us all.
“It’s set to be the 21st century’s biggest killer, with someone developing it every three minutes, and so many people are facing it alone.
“People with dementia often feel – and are – misunderstood, marginalised and isolated but with the right support and understanding they can continue to live fulfilling lives”
That’s why researchers in Wales are working hard to find ways of combating the condition.
Cardiff University is now playing a major role in finding new ways to diagnose, treat, prevent and care for people with dementia.
In April it became one of six sites in the UK to house a UK Dementia Research Institute (DRI) thanks to a £13m investment.
This figure could rise by a further £17m in research funding over the next five years, making it the biggest investment Wales has ever received for scientific study into dementia.
Professor Colin Riordan, vicechancellor of Cardiff University, said: “Dementia diagnosis rates in Wales are the worst in the UK, impacting on support for affected individuals and their families.
“Given this national context, and the global burden of dementia, Cardiff University has made research on dementias a strategic priority and a cornerstone of our joint Clinical Innovation Strategy with the NHS.
“With the launch of the UK DRI at Cardiff University, we will build on this solid foundation to find new ways to combat dementia.”
Up to 60 scientific researchers will be employed at the Cardiff centre over the first five years and will focus on understanding the disease mechanisms and developing new therapies.
Earlier this year the university made a significant step towards the development of a simple blood test to predict the onset of Alzheimer’s, one of the most common forms of dementia.
Scientists studied blood from 292 people with the earliest signs of memory impairment and found a common set of biomarkers, or indicators of disease, that predicted whether or not a given individual would develop Alzheimer’s disease.
Professor Paul Morgan, director of Cardiff University’s Systems Immunity Research Institute, said: “Our research proves that it is possible to predict whether or not an individual with mild memory problems is likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease over the next few years.
“We hope to build on this to develop a simple blood test that can predict the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease in older people with mild, and possibly innocent, memory impairment.”
Hospital staff in Wales are also crucial in the treatment and management of the condition.
At University Hospital Llandough, a 1950s-style sitting room – complete with record player, glass cabinets and ornaments reflective of the era – was created last year to engage with patients and their memories.
Carolyn James’ husband Roger, from Thornhill, Cardiff, is a patient on the ward and describes the new facility, called The Cwtch, as a great addition.
She said: “We’ve had one of the patients who would sit in the corner doing her knitting as if she was back at home, with the music on and it’s just a lovely environment. It’s so homely, quiet and pleasant.”
The Welsh Government has set a target for Wales to reach a diagnosis rate of 75% by 2020.
In response to this, a specialist support service for patients with concerns about their memory is running across the Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board area.
The service is delivered by three primary mental health link nurses and seven dementia support workers who are based within health and social teams throughout Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Bridgend.
The dementia support workers receive referrals from people who have concerns about their memory and can offer an assessment in the comfort of the patient’s own home.
Using a touch-screen App called “Cantab Mobile”, they identify clinically significant memory problems in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease.
This can take less than 10 minutes and is an alternative to traditional paper-based tests.
In addition to this, the Welsh Government says it is aiming to make Wales a “dementia-friendly nation”.
This includes work on dementia risk reduction, increasing public awareness, actions to improve diagnosis rates and ensuring support is available to people affected by the condition.
Following a consultation, a new Dementia Strategic Action Plan is soon to be published.
Health Secretary Vaughan Gething said: “It is only by working together we can build a truly dementia friendly Wales and combat other problems, such as loneliness and isolation.
“The public consultation has helped us learn from people’s experiences and expertise to develop a robust, evidence-based action plan.
“But I don’t want it to end there. I want to see the third sector taking a more active role in the way services are shaped and delivered in the coming years – a great example of prudent health and care principles in practice.
“I want us to tackle the stigma attached to dementia and take away the fear that many may have, through lack of knowledge and information.
“We know from our consultation that there are a wealth of community projects spanning the country which look to raise awareness and understanding of dementia that will help to reduce the stigma.
“I want to see more communities in Wales becoming dementia friendly and provide help and support to all those who need it.”