Swiss parliament votes to create a national dementia plan

On 12 March 2012, the Swiss Council of States (upper house of the federal Parliament) approved a series of proposals which effectively call upon the government to prepare a national dementia plan.

The next step will be to establish priorities and assign action items to regional authorities and associations. The Swiss Alzheimer Association is an active supporter for a national dementia plan and has proposed that the following be included:

• funding for professional training to improve diagnosis
• support for family caregivers, including funding for day/night care centres
• campaigns to raise awareness and reduce the stigma associated with dementia

There are currently more than 100,000 people with dementia in Switzerland. This will increase to 150,000 in ten years and to some 300,000 people by 2040.