CAFE is proud to support Alzheimer Europe as they continue to raise awareness of the condition and explore ways to support people with Alzheimer’s and those closest to them. The Dementia Monitor 2020, provides a high-level overview of countries across Europe, outlining their responses to dementia.

Alzheimer Europe published a similar report in 2017, which established a benchmark for countries and has made it possible to identify changes in the dementia landscape over the past three years.

According to Alzheimer Europe, the number of people with dementia in Europe is likely to double by 2050, increasing from 9.78 million to 18.8 million. People with dementia and their carers must be supported throughout the duration of the illness, from the point of diagnosis through until the end of life. 

Some key highlights from the Dementia Monitor 2020 report include:
• Care and support services continue to be largely insufficiently available, despite some minor improvements since 2017
• A majority of care and support services continue to receive some level of financial support from the state (either fully funded or co-funded)
• An increasing number of countries are engaging in policy processes designed to prioritise dementia, for example, through the development of dementia strategies
• Countries in central and eastern Europe continue to be less well represented in clinical trials related to dementia
• A majority of countries continue to have a poor level of legal protections in place to guarantee the rights of people with dementia or carers, particularly in relation to employment matters

Speaking on the launch of the report, Alzheimer Europe’s Executive Director, Jean Georges, said:

“There is a mixed picture emerging from the Dementia Monitor 2020. Whilst we have seen some
minor improvements in the availability and affordability of care since the 2017 Dementia Monitor, it
remains the case that overall, too many services remain insufficiently available."

Download the full Dementia Monitor report.

In September 2020, CAFE joined stakeholders across the globe in coming together for World Alzheimer’s Day to raise awareness of the condition, and explore ways to support people with Alzheimer’s and those closest to them.

Ahead of the annual event, we spoke with two clubs in England and Germany to find out more about how they support fans with Alzheimer's and dementia.

Football has a wealth of history and memories to last a lifetime, and can play an important role. As the condition largely affects older people, it is likely that many of those diagnosed with Alzheimer's will be some of the clubs' most loyal and longest-serving supporters. Therefore it is important that football uses its unique power to offer its support.

Everton in the Community told us about their Pass on the Memories programme, and the impact it has had on over 750 people living with Alzheimer's and dementia as well as their carers and companions. Director of Health and Sport Michael Salla told us how the project uses the history of the club and the city to evoke memories and stimulate conversation, and how they have continued to support participants during the pandemic.

Hamburger SV also told us about their memory box project, using memorabilia, photos and soundtracks from the club's past to support people with Alzheimer's and dementia in sharing their memories. Project participants have the opportunity to discuss experiences as football fans, as well as memories from their day-to-day lives induced by the contents of the memory boxes.

If you would like to discuss your ideas for projects such as Pass on the Memories or the HSV memory box project at your club, please email us at [email protected] or call +44 (0)208 065 5018.

For more information on Alzheimer Europe and the Dementia Monitor 2020 visit the Alzheimer Europe website. 

Published 30/3/2021