International Perspective on Dementia
Friendly Communities
Dr. Jacob Roy Kuriakose
Chairman, ADI
Why are dementia friendly societies
important?
a) Increasing numbers
b) Negative cultural
attitude
c) Discrimination leading
to social isolation
d) Stigma
e) Barriers in the physical
environment
f) Poor designs
Examples from various countries!!!
1. Dementia trends scheme (UK) 1million people to be trained
in dementia care
2. National wide caravan
•
Champions to train one million supporters in next five
years (Japan)
3. Dementia with out walls (England)
4. Together for a dementia friendly brings (Belgium)
5. Dementia friendly communities (Scotland)
6. Dementia friendly hospitals (UK)
About Alzheimer’s Disease
International (ADI)
• Established 1984
• The umbrella organisation
of Alzheimer associations
around the world
• 79 member associations
Aims to help establish and strengthen Alzheimer associations
throughout the world, and to raise global awareness about
Alzheimer's disease and all other causes of dementia
Dementia Worldwide
Dementia Worldwide
US$604 billion in
2010
• Includes direct
medical costs,
direct non-medical
costs and costs of
informal (family)
care
World Alzheimer’s Month
September is World Alzheimer’s Month
21 September is World Alzheimer’s Day
• 2012 first World Alzheimer’s
Month
• 2012 Dementia: living together
• 70 countries participated
• 2013: A Journey of Caring
• World Alzheimer Report on
continuum of care
• Facebook campaign
www.alz.co.uk/world-alzheimers-month
World Health Organization
In Official Relations with WHO since 1996
• Advocating for dementia to
be a global health priority
• Statements given by ADI
representatives at regional
meetings of the WHO
• Present at World Health
Assembly each year
• Collaborated with WHO on
dementia report
WHO report on dementia
Dementia: a public health priority
• Launched on 11 April 2012
• International collaboration
between ADI and WHO
• A new case of dementia every
4 seconds
• Inclusion of ADI’s figures from
World Alzheimer Reports
• Call for WHO member nations
to act now
www.alz.co.uk/WHO-dementia-report
Advocacy
• Advocacy as part of the
NCD Alliance (noncommunicable diseases)
• Joint statement on NCDs
with 10 other ageing and
care organisations
• Consultative status with
United Nations since
August 2012
• Tracking national dementia
plans
www.alz.co.uk/alzheimer-plans
Towards dementia friendly initiative
• UK undoubtedly the major
player in developing and
implementing the concept.
• US, Ireland, Australia, Japan,
Belgium
• Reports of quality work have
already emerged
the concept is catching up
internationally but in
different shapes and forms.
Key messages relevant
internationally
• There should be an
integrated approach relevant
to local circumstances
to enable people with
dementia live successfully in
the society
• Social inclusiveness is the
heart of the concept
• Any measure should be
aimed at improving the
quality of life
In international context, transferable
criteria include
• There should be a conducive social and physical environment
• Strong network of carers and supporters is essential
• People with dementia and their carers should be the key decision
makers
• The whole community should be dementia aware most
communities already have several good dementia friendly aspects,
they only need further adaptations
• Better information packages and custom built training should be
available
• “Dementia friends”, the responsibilities should be culturally
appropriate and locally relevant
• Social welfare aspects of elderly with dementia is the most diverse
aspect with many countries having no or minimal provisions.
Organisations in the UK like Alz Soc.
can take a lead role internationally
• In the development and
implementation of DFC
• Create a database
• Provide a network
• Evaluate the progress
• Advise on guidelines for
recognition of DFC
• Identify key areas of DFC
research
The way forward
UK has been leading the
way
• Create a more
inclusive society
Where a person with
dementia can lead a
life of honour and
dignity