We can’t ignore dementia issue, says MP - The Worcester Observer

We can’t ignore dementia issue, says MP

Worcester Editorial 20th Jul, 2019   0

WORCESTER’s MP Robin Walker was among the parliamentarians at the Alzheimer’s Society’s Parliamentary photo exhibition at Westminster.

The photo exhibition brought people affected by dementia to the House of Commons to meet MPs and peers. Dementia affects 850,000 people in the UK, a figure which is expected to rise to more than one million by 2021.

The exhibition told the stories of 12 families from across the country, all of whom have struggled to access affordable, good quality care. The Alzheimer’s Society is looking to establish a Dementia Fund which would deliver better care in the community, improved quality of care service and reduced risk to care providers.

As the city’s MP, Mr Walker says he has sought to improve awareness of dementia and Alzheimer’s and has visited the Alzheimer’s Society’s Worcestershire HQ to take the Dementia Friends course which helps to familiarise people with how better to support people with dementia.




He has also lent his support to the University of Worcester’s Association for Dementia Studies, the only centre in the UK where research is conducted relating to practical care for dementia.

Speaking after the event in Westminster, he said: “There are around 8,306 cases of dementia in those aged over 65 in Worcestershire and many more who are in regular contact with family and friends with the condition. It is an issue we absolutely cannot afford to ignore.”


“In Worcester we are blessed to have the Association for Dementia Studies (ADS) as a designated research centre at the University of Worcester. The ADS are a multi-professional group of educationalists, researchers and practitioners who are expert in the field of person-centred dementia care and support people with dementia, their families and their carers inform the work of ADS at all stages.”

“It’s my belief we all have a role to play to improve the lives of those living with dementia and the work undertaken by Alzheimer’s Society and ADS has made a huge difference to the lives of those living with the condition, their families, and their carers.

“I believe this is an issue we can’t afford to ignore and I will continue to support the best possible care for those living with dementia and investment in more research.”

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