Last year, the Dementia Commission held its second inquiry session, where experts were invited to discuss what is required to revolutionise dementia care in the UK. The inquiry was split into three parts, with part one focusing on preventative action, part two focusing on evolving technologies, and part three focusing on improving engagement and tackling stigma.
The Need for Collaboration and Collective Action
Three distinguished speakers took the lead for panel number one. These were Professor Lynne Corner from the National Innovation Centre for Ageing, Alexis Chappell, Strategic Director of Adult Care and Wellbeing at Sheffield City Council, and Dr Sebastian Walsh from the University of Cambridge.
The session’s discussions centred around several key takeaways that resonate with the imperative of effective dementia prevention. The importance of early diagnosis emerged as a common theme, with participants acknowledging that early diagnosis must be accompanied by robust post-diagnosis support.
Concerns regarding data integration within the healthcare system prompted calls for improved coordination, while strategies to combat stigma, fear, and despondency surrounding dementia were deemed essential.
Finally, a consensus arose regarding the necessity of timely diagnosis, which is especially relevant for the ageing population affected by dementia.
A Blueprint for Dementia Care Transformation
Session two looked at the potential and challenges that innovation and AI bring to dementia care.
Geraint Lewis, Director of Population Health at Microsoft, spoke passionately about embracing innovation to tackle the dementia challenge. A visionary with over 15 years of NHS experience, Lewis has championed the creation of ‘virtual wards’, an ingenious concept that extends care into the homes of patients.
He underscored the transformative potential of technology, particularly AI, in altering the trajectory of dementia prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
Meanwhile, Professor Kourtzi, a Professor of Experimental Psychology at the University of Cambridge, envisions an AI-augmented future where early detection, personalised care, and prevention flourish.
The bedrock of Professor Kourtzi’s vision rests on clinically relevant, biologically informed models. These models, rooted in scientific understanding, harbour the potential to propel early prediction and detection of neurogenerative diseases, including dementia.
Improving Engagement and Tackling Stigma in Dementia Care
In the final session of the second Dementia Commission inquiry, panellists gave evidence on ways to improve engagement and tackle stigma in dementia care.
Panellists for this session were Dr Hilda Hayo, Chief Admiral Nurse and CEO of Dementia UK, Colin Capper, Associate Director of Evidence and Involvement at the Alzheimer’s Society, David Truswell, Executive Director at the Dementia Alliance for Culture & Ethnicity, and Sam Rodger, Assistant Director, Policy and Strategy at the NHS Race and Health Observatory.
The panellists provided those in attendance with a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities in dementia care. The experts called for long-term and meaningful engagement, trust-building, addressing ethnic inequalities, and fostering collaboration across stakeholders.
As we move forward, panellists hope that these insights will guide efforts to reshape dementia care, creating a more inclusive, effective, and compassionate system that serves every individual affected by this condition.
Read the full report here:
