Cabinet makes National Dementia Strategy future-proof

State Secretary Pouw-Verweij (Long-term and Social Care): “Dementia has major consequences for peoples daily lives: memories fade, things that were taken for granted become difficult, and dependence on others increases. Yet life does not stop when you receive a dementia diagnosis. Many people still want and can participate meaningfully in society. We as a society must provide them that space. I am glad that this was taken into account when updating the strategy.”

With the implementation of the National Dementia Strategy (2021-2030), much has already been achieved in recent years. Steps have been taken to make society more dementia-friendly, to give scientific research into dementia a boost, and to better coordinate care and support. To make the dementia strategy future-proof, it has now been updated and funding has been made available for the next 5 years in the Senior Care Outline Agreement (HLO). The voice of people with dementia and their loved ones remains indispensable. Therefore, they are involved in renewing the strategy and a sounding board group will be established where they can share their experiences and ideas about the implementation. Organizations will also collaborate more administratively to take extra steps on the actions below in the coming years.

In the coming years, investment will be made in scientific research into causes, prevention, (early) diagnosis, and treatment of dementia symptoms. Because research increasingly shows that prevention can help prevent or delay dementia, extra funds are being allocated for this. Extra attention is given to the fact that people with dementia are more than their diagnosis and can make a meaningful contribution to society.

Finally, efforts will be made to improve support and care for people with dementia, with specific attention to young people with dementia, people with unexplained behavior, and people from different cultural backgrounds. Among other things, a basic dementia functionality is being developed, as agreed in the Supplementary Care and Welfare Agreement (AZWA), and the Dementia Care Standard is being updated. Part of this is future-proof case management, where case managers provide support and guidance to people with dementia and their loved ones already in the not quite right phase.

The implementation of the National Dementia Strategy involves collaboration among the following organizations:

• Association of Dutch Municipalities (VNG)
• Health Insurers Netherlands (ZN)
• Alzheimer Netherlands
• ActiZ
• GGD GHOR Netherlands
• Social Work Netherlands
• Dementia Network Netherlands (DNN)
• Nurses & Caregivers Netherlands (V&VN) 
• Verenso and the Professional Association of Social Work Professionals (BPSW)
• ZonMw, Dementia Care Standard and the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS)