POLICY WATCH
Germany launches its new National Dementia Strategy On 1 July, the German Federal Government announced the launch of the first National Dementia Strategy for Germany. Alzheimer Europe spoke with Franziska Giffey, German Federal Minister for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth, to find out more about the strategy, as well as with Sabine Jansen, Executive Director of Deutsche Alzheimer Gesellschaft, to hear her reflections. Can you give us an insight into some of the focus areas of the strategy?
Secondly, we need to look at the families of people with dementia. When a loved one develops dementia, professionals must be There are about 1.6 million people with at hand to advise and support on medical and dementia living in Germany. By 2050, the social issues. For this purpose, we are going number could rise to about 2.8 million. Our to improve the coordination between medical aim is that people with dementia are well and social care structures. Thirdly, I am workcared for and remain an active part of our ing to ensure that we bring about a major society for as long as possible. shift in social awareness. It was therefore very important to me to start implementing the Three of the goals in our strategy are particu- strategy in cooperation with many different larly important to me. First of all, we need partners. Germany is on its way. But we still solidarity and support at the local level. We have a lot to do in order to actually become aim to achieve this by building local networks. a dementia-friendly country.
German National Dementia Strategy
18 Dementia in Europe
Franziska Giffey, German Federal Minister for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth
How will the Federal Government be monitoring the implementation of the strategy and how will its impact be measured? The strategy follows a very targeted approach. It includes a set of about 160 specific measures as well as dates for their implementation. All of these measures will be monitored. In 2026, we will take stock and revise the strategy. But now we are only at the start. We have big plans and a lot to do.
Does the strategy have a dedicated budget to support the implementation of its objectives?
How will you work with Deutsche Alzheimer Gesellschaft (German Alzheimer’s Society) and people with dementia to ensure their voices are heard?
In the years to come, our society will have to raise billions of euros in order to adapt Germany to the needs of an ageing society and of an increasing number of people with dementia. This is true when planning both at local and at national level and, of course, in the social insurance system, for example when it comes to prevention and care. But also for cultural institutions, religious communities or local sports clubs. The aim of the National Dementia Strategy (Nationale Demenzstrategie) is to do this in a coordinated and focused manner. Networks are central to this. In the next few years, the Federal Ministry for Senior Citizens will fund measures worth two million euros annually in order to create these networks. However, the strategy can only work when all partners make their contribution.
The German Alzheimer’s Society co-chaired the development of the strategy. We, the Federal Government, have been working closely with the Alzheimer’s Society. This partnership is very important to me and, of course, we will continue to work closely together. Achieving the goal of adjusting all areas of life to the needs of an ageing society and of more people with dementia is only possible in a well working team. We are funding the helpline “Alzheimer-Telefon” – an important service in Germany provided by the Alzheimer’s Society. We also cooperate with the German Alzheimer’s Society and various partners in joint projects, for example with the German Olympic Sports Confederation (Deutscher Olympischer Sportbund). All of these cooperations help us to reach people in all areas of life.
