The policy environment of dementia care: The role of a regional dementia strategy

Abstract

The policy environment of dementia care is influential on how care and treatment are delivered to people with dementia and the outcomes experienced by people with dementia and their carers. This article focuses on national and regional dementia strategies that provide guidance and recommendations for improving dementia care. Currently, there appears to be a drive in many European countries to develop dementia strategies at the national level. This is in response to a growing awareness of the needs of people with dementia and to the significant predicted increases in prevalence in coming years. This article focuses on a regional strategy developed in Scotland and examines the processes of strategy development and implementation, reflecting on the influence of the strategy on dementia care and treatment and the 'success' of the strategy in Fife. It is clear that local and regional strategies for dementia care will influence outcomes for people with dementia but this may not be as a direct result of strategy implementation but rather the impact of the strategy on the awareness and motivations of professionals and practitioners providing care and support to people with dementia and their carers.