Clwyd MS Darren Millar met with Alzheimer's Society Cymru in the Senedd last week to mark Dementia Action Week.

Despite 51,000 people living with dementia in Wales, a figure set to rise by 37% to 70,000 by 2040, Darren was told that just 57% of people living with dementia in Wales have a diagnosis and diagnosis rate are even lower in rural areas.

He was also told that social care isn't meeting the needs of people living with dementia.

He said:

"One in three people born in the UK today will develop dementia in their lifetime, it is therefore crucial that we ensure early and accurate diagnosis and treatment for everyone. As Alzheimer's Society Cymru told me, this would enable people living with dementia to better manage their condition, improve outcomes and reduce healthcare use.  

"Diagnosis rates are too low in every part of the UK, but Wales has the lowest published diagnosis rate at 56% - leaving nearly half of people with dementia to cope without the support, care, and treatment a diagnosis can bring.

"Meanwhile, Alzheimer's Society 2025 Lived Experience survey found that only 34% of those who received or have received professional care in their home feel that all or most of their needs are met by this care.

"Alzheimer's Society Cymru are calling on the Welsh Government to commit to publishing a new Dementia Strategy in 2026 which makes real improvements to the lives of people living with dementia and I fully back these calls. 

"Considering the present and increasing prevalence and impact of dementia, it is disgraceful that this major health issue is still not being made the priority it needs to be."