National and International Perspectives of Dementia
The University of Plymouth in conjunction with NIHR (Applied research Collaboration South West Peninsula) and Nanfang College Guangzhou held their latest conference on Dementia at the Mayflower Grandstand, Home Park Stadium (Plymouth Argyle) on Friday 11 April.
The event was hosted by chairpersons Angela Rippon CBE and David Fitzgerald Broadcaster, who provided both amusing entertainment but also serious consideration around issues related to dementia and speakers from the United Kingdom and from around the world gave presentations to a multitude of organisations both in the room and broadcast over the internet.
There were presentations from speakers from Belgium, Ukraine, Japan, China as well as from tiny Gibraltar which despite it's small size have created an integrated community model to support people in their communities living with dementia. The Japanese presentation was interesting from the perspective of economic activities by businesses to incorporate ideas into their products that are mindful of people living with dementia, from socks to gas cookers. China is also making great strides in supporting people with dementia from incorporating traditional Chinese culture in rural areas to a structured state support for people and communities living with dementia. Both Japan and China are fully aware that the number of people with dementia will grow significantly over the coming decades are both their populations get older. Belgium presented their approach using advocacy put forward by people living with dementia to strive for an integrated dementia policy in a fragmented Flanders and Belgium compared to neighbouring countries. Their goal is to have an integrated policy that builds bridges across the linguistic, cultural and policy boundaries. Ukraine presented on building dementia support in a war torn country and their efforts to date. Ukraine needs support so if you want to know more then go to Dementia Support In Ukraine.
Close to home Alison Johnstone of the Welsh Ambulance Services and our own Claire Puckey gave presentation's on the effort being made in front line services to support patients with dementia and to support people living with dementia in rural areas.
The Members of Parliament Rebecca Smith (South West Devon) and Steve Darling (Torbay) spoke about the work to date by Governments in funding and supporting dementia and diminishing support from the Government at present. On a more positive note Steve Darling with his wife Mandy highlighted the work being done and support given to people with disabilities including dementia when travelling.
There were also presentations on the international survey of attitudes towards dementia which unfortunately show a decline worldwide in the understanding of what dementia is and a misunderstanding that people with dementia can live almost normal lives whilst the disease progresses. This was bought home in a question and answer session with Chris Roberts, the former Chairperson of Alzheimer's European Forum and his wife Jayne Goodrick. Chris had been diagnosed with early onset dementia in his 50's and for sixteen years has continued supporting and fighting for both a better understanding of dementia and support at all levels for people living with dementia. As Chris say's he might be forgetful but he could even after sixteen years make a persuasive argument from the stage and answers questions. He was not going to let his dementia get in the way!
Finally, there were very interesting presentations digital health technologies to support people living with dementia, supported in their design by the very people the technologies are designed for. There was also presentations on Artificial Intelligence on helping the mind to learn as well as innovations from Doctor Gillian Horne of the Rowcroft Hospice on innovations in dementia care and supported living.
The overall message of the 2025 conference was one of 'Changing the way we think, talk and act'. To push to raise awareness and build an understanding to empower and transform the approach to living with dementia for both the individual and their communities.
Sharing Opportunities in Worldwide Dementia Care
11th April 2025
