AQW 53550/11-16

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 28/01/2016
Answered On Date: 11/02/2016
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for his assessment of young onset dementia in Northern Ireland; and to detail any forthcoming strategies to mitigate future pressures on the health system caused by young onset dementia.

Answer:

It is estimated that there are almost 20,000 people living with dementia in Northern Ireland, and it is estimated that approximately 1,000 of those people are under the age of 65 years. Data on the actual breakdown by age of people living with dementia is not available.

The Department’s regional strategy on dementia was launched in 2011 and contained 44 recommendations. A number of those recommendations relate to younger people with dementia, particularly in relation to the development of care pathways. Currently two care pathways are under development: one for people with learning disability and dementia; and the other for younger (and older people) who require access to memory services.