A new strategy to tackle dementia across Lancashire was agreed by the county council's cabinet on Thursday 12 April.



The Dementia Friendly Lancashire strategy outlines how the county council will work with other organisations to address dementia between 2018 and 2023.

This strategy will focus on:

• Reducing the prevalence of dementia in Lancashire
• Raising awareness of all types of dementia
• Promoting early diagnosis and increase diagnosis rates
• Ensuring people access early treatment and get the support they need to live independently
• Ensuring the county council becomes a 'Dementia Friendly' organisation and continues to develop partnerships to address dementia.

Research suggests that there are currently around 15,500 people living with dementia in Lancashire. This figure is set to rise by as much as 27% by 2026 due to population growth in the older age groups.

County Councillor Shaun Turner, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: "Dementia is already an important health issue and the aging population means more and more people across Lancashire will live with the condition in the next few years.

"This new strategy is crucial in setting out how we will build on the good work we already do in Lancashire and we've consulted people living with dementia and their families to give them the opportunity to have their say on our plans.

"We want to raise awareness of dementia and encourage people to talk about it. Detecting dementia early can often lead to better support for people living with the condition and their families.

"This will help people access the treatment they need sooner to slow down progression of the condition so they can continue to live independently for as long as possible. The strategy will also ensure we can improve care for people who need more intensive support.

"It outlines how the county council will become a 'dementia friendly' organisation by ensuring our staff will have had dementia awareness training, its working carers policy will be reviewed and it will give people living with dementia and their families more opportunities to share their views about services they use."