Improving the lives of people living with dementia

The case for policy actionUntil a cure or preventive treatment for dementia is developed, policy must focus on improving the lives of people living with the condition and their families. This means keeping them as safe and healthy as possible, but also ensuring they live dignified lives, retain control and independence and maintain social relationships. All countries need to consider the key policy objectives identified in this chapter – covering all stages of dementia, from risk reduction and detection through to the end of life – and use the best available evidence to design appropriate policies. Some countries have published dementia strategies reflecting many of these priorities, but implementation remains a challenge. A better understanding of what works in improving the lives of people living with dementia is also needed. Countries should focus on evaluating their policies and sharing the results, and the development of an internationally comparable set of indicators around dementia should be explored.