#Whatsyourplan
DID YOU KNOW?
- Dementia currently affects more than 17,973 people in Jamaica.
- By 2050, this number is projected to rise to over 40,797 people.
- Dementia is the 7th cause of death worldwide.
- There are 7 stages in dementia, with the final stage leading to death.
- Whilst most cases of dementia are diagnosed after 65, young onset dementia can start in someone's thirties.
- It is estimate that persons living with the disease can live for a decade or more with the disease remaining undetected.
- The vast majority of carers are unpaid family members who had to sacrifice and put their careers on hold to provide care to their loved ones.
- There is still little to no support for families living with dementia in Jamaica.
- The risk of Dementia can be reduced through better lifestyle choices when a person is young.
- Research shows that dementia affects disproportionally women, those from poorer background and those with lower education levels.
This is why we want you to
ask your local Member of Parliament (MP)
and the Ministry of Health & Wellness:
WHAT'S YOUR PLAN?
Remind the Ministry of Health and your local MP of the commitment our government made to adopt the World Health Organization’s Global Action Plan on Dementia in place between 2017 – 2025.
What is the #WhatsYourPlan Campaign?
In November 2021, Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI) officially launched the campaign #WhatsYourPlan, aiming to galvanise governments to develop, fund and implement national dementia plans in their countries.
Since the universal adoption of the WHO Global action plan on the public health response to dementia 2017-2025, uptake on the implementation of national dementia plans and strategies has sadly been far too slow.
Currently, only 37 Member States have national dementia plans, falling far short of the 146 target (75% of Member States), by 2025.
As we pass the halfway point of the global plan, this campaign aims to install a reinvigorated sense of urgency and necessity in governments, which are currently failing to uphold their commitment and thus their promise to provide adequate diagnosis, treatment, research, care and support to those living with dementia.
Why does Alzheimer's Jamaica support the #WhatsYourPlan Campaign?
A message from
our founder and executive director
Dundeen Ferguson
As a member of ADI, Alzheimer's Jamaica joins the campaign and we encourage you to take part with us.
In the two weeks starting 22nd January 2023, we will be addressing the government
on Social media and by letter.
We will be asking the Ministry of Health:
"What's Your Plan?"
But what about Vision 2030 Jamaica?
What is Vision 2030 Jamaica – National Development Plan?
Vision 2030 Jamaica – National Development Plan, Jamaica’s first long-term strategic development plan, provides a comprehensive planning framework in which the economic, social, environmental and governance aspects of national development are integrated. The Plan, which was approved in Parliament in 2009, is intended to advance the achievement of our national vision, which is captured in the statement:
“Jamaica, the place of choice to live, work, raise families and do business.”
Ensuring a secure and prosperous future for all Jamaicans requires a major transformation from being a middle income developing country to a country that can afford its citizens a high quality of life and world-class standards in a range of areas – education, health care, nutrition, civility and social order, and access to environmental goods and services such as clean air and water, among others. In the Jamaican context, these elements are fundamental to the achievement of progress towards a more sustainable and inclusive society.
The WHO Global action plan on the public health response to dementia 2017-2025 mirrors many of the principles of Vision 2030 Jamaica - Social Welfare and Vulnerable Groups (SWVG)
Social Welfare and Vulnerable Groups (SWVG)
4.0: Strategic Vision and Planning Framework for social Welfare and Vulnerability Section Plan
Vision Statement: “A social welfare system that is responsive to the needs of the vulnerable population and contributes to maintaining human dignity”
Social Welfare and Vulnerable Groups
- Objectivity in the identification of the vulnerable population
- Equity in service delivery
- Efficiency in service delivery
- Accessibility for all qualified
- Gender Sensitivity In delivery and organisation of delivery services
Strategic Approach
The Social Welfare and Vulnerable Groups Strategic plan is built upon three principles. First, it is recognised that despite the best efforts of society, there are some individuals who will not be able to sustain themselves adequately, if at all, without the intervention of others in the society. Secondly, the plan recognises that the state has a central role to play as the ultimate agent responsible for reducing the vulnerability of these individuals. The third principle is that notwithstanding the role of the state, the society must see itself as a partner and families and communities must take responsibility for their vulnerable members.
Minister of Health, Dr. Chris Tufton, addresses the 70th World Health Assembly on 24 May 2017, calling on the need for Member States to address non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
Dementia is a NCD
Why do we need a national plan for dementia?
The experience of COVID-19 has highlighted the lack of services and resources available to older citizens in general, in addition to those persons living with dementia and their families.
The Jamaican government needs to increase the prioritization and awareness of dementia; strengthen information systems for dementia; reduce the risk of dementia through education; increase access to diagnosis, treatment and care; provide support for dementia carers and encourage research and innovation
The Ministry of Health and Wellness has focused on the “Support for Health Systems Programme for the Prevention and Care Management of Non-communicable Diseases” to include hypertension, diabetes, overweight/obesity and mental illness. Nowhere in this focus is a dementia plan. The revised National Policy for Senior Citizens highlight four goals including:
1. Increased participation of senior citizens in all spheres of society,
2. Improved income security and social protection coverage for senior citizens,
3. Adequate and supportive health, and
4. Wellness systems for senior citizens. This plan includes some services to caregivers such as respite and counseling, but there are no services specific to dementia.
Here are examples of the services needed. The list is far from complete:
* Access to early diagnosis in every parish
* Better access to medication to slow down the progression of the disease
* Support groups for families
* Access to more long term care facilities
* Access to more registered nursing homes
* Nursing homes need better regulation
* Trained staff in hospitals and nursing homes who understand the needs of persons living with dementia
* Address the gap between what families can afford to pay for carers and the carers right to a decent pay.
* Introduce better working flexibility for working carers with their employers.
* Work with banking institutions to implement new regulations to better serve persons living with dementia and their guardians
* Education programs to break the stigma (in schools, for employees, for customer-facing staff, for carers, etc...)
THIS IS WHY WE WANT YOU TO
Ask your local Member of Parliament (MP)
and the Ministry of Health & Wellness:
WHAT'S YOUR PLAN?