G8 Dementia Summit 2013 - my twelve wishes - and what the summit agreed...

The G8 Dementia Summit took place in London on December 11 2013, below is my wish list for those living with dementia and their carers/caregivers - compiled before the summit - accompanied by notes about what the summit agreed...

1 A cure
G8 is committed to finding a cure or disease modifying therapy by 2025

2 Early and full diagnosis
Summit highlighted importance of early diagnosis, and have set a target for 67% diagnosis rate by 2015

3 Much greater support for both the person living with dementia and their family carers/caregivers
Need for support for those with dementia and their carers/caregivers recognised

4 Better dementia awareness in the wider community, media and governments
G8 recognised need to eradicate stigma, and to share information about research, identifying strategic priority areas, including sharing initiatives of big data, for collaboration and cooperation

5 More funding for research into dementia and its many causes
G8 countries have agreed to significantly increase funding for research

6 More support for dementia charities - these charities receive fraction of that raised for cancer research and heart disease - yet dementia costs the UK economy more than cancer and heart disease combined (I'm playing my small part in this mammoth task here http://design4dementia.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/dementia-awareness-wrist-bands.html)
G8 recognised the important role played by charities and voluntary organisations

7 More dementia friendly communities - ideally ALL communities to be dementia friendly
G8 to call upon all sectors to treat people affected by dementia with dignity and respect, and to call upon civil society to continue and to enhance global efforts to reduce stigma, exclusion and fear

8 More dementia specific wards in hospitals - no more placements on general wards where staff are not trained in dementia awareness
G8 recognised the need for better dementia care

9 Dementia awareness education for younger people in schools, including hands-on experience with those living with dementia
As point 7 - continue and enhance global efforts to reduce stigma, exclusion and fear

10 Dementia awareness training for all staff in Doctor's surgeries - including Doctors, to ensure earlier diagnosis and treatment where possible
As point 8 - the recognised need for better dementia care

11 More public facilities for those living with dementia - greater accessibility
As point 7 - all sectors to treat people affected by dementia with dignity and respect and to reduce stigma, exclusion and fear

12 Government representative solely responsible for dementia and all issues related to the condition, including those living with dementia and their carers/caregivers
UK to appoint a Global Dementia Innovation Envoy to draw together international expertise to stimulate innovation and to co-ordinate international efforts to attract new sources of finance, including exploring the possibility of developing a private and philanthropic fund to support global dementia innovation

Hopefully, one day, all of this will be a reality, until then, we have a long and difficult road to travel in order to raise awareness of this terrible condition, that still has no cure...

Thanks to this momentous summit, we may have just made the first step in the right direction, let it continue and gather momentum. It was also agreed that the next summit is to take place in the US on February 10 2015...