New dementia strategy for Scotland: summary

Our Vision 

"Our vision is of a Scotland where people living with dementia and their care partners have their strengths recognised, their rights upheld, and are supported to live an independent life, free from stigma and with person centred treatment, support and care when and where they need it."

Underpinning this vision is a recognition that people living with dementia and their care partners/unpaid carers are experts by experience and are best placed to know what they need and when they need it. Support to develop this expertise can help avoid stress, struggle and the growing sense of loss that a dementia diagnosis can bring.

Acknowledging the expertise of lived experience reflects both our human rights principles and our focus on person-centred support which places the person at the centre, as an expert in their own experience.

The Difference We Want To Make

1 Dementia is recognised in public health and in practice as a disease of the brain that affects a person's whole life and those close to them. Diagnosis can bring significant mental health and wellbeing challenges that need to be acknowledged and addressed to ensure a person's rights are upheld.

2 Policy makers, support and service providers, communities and society all have an understanding of dementia, including the importance of prevention and early detection, and are inclusive of people living with dementia, able to engage and respond confidently and appropriately, creating environments that enable people to live well with dementia.

3 People living with dementia and their care partners have equity of access to high quality, information and advice, evidence-based treatment, care and support when and where they need it, including dementia-specific palliative care, and have access to practitioners with knowledge and skills of appropriate dementia care.

4 The human rights of people living with dementia and their care partners are upheld throughout their dementia journey.

5 People are supported by a skilled and knowledgeable workforce that accesses the highest quality dementia specialist education and training and implements evidence based, including trauma-informed, practice.