WE MUST WORK TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF THOSE LIVING WITH DEMENTIA

I was pleased to be able to contribute to a debate on improving the lives of people with dementia, and paid tribute to the work carried out in North Ayrshire by Quarriers dementia befriending service and its wonderful volunteers. My own mother-in-law is living with dementia, and I am all too aware of how distressing it is to watch a person descend from the person they once were to someone who is so far removed from their former self. Dementia is an illness that is cruel beyond words, it robs people of a lifetime of memories and connections, and we must do anything we can to improve the lives of these people as much as we can.

We must do all we can to support and safeguard vulnerable people.

There are challenges to meet in providing care for our increasing number of older people, especially those who live with dementia. Recruiting and retaining care staff is extremely important to provide this care. We must also continue to fund research into this condition so that we can improve the diagnosis and treatment of those who live with this terrible disease. We owe it to those who fall victim to it and their families, to do all we can.

Click below to watch my contribution.