The National Assembly for Wales will champion the rights of the 45,000 people living with dementia in Wales, and those who care for them, by pledging to become a dementia-friendly organisation.
A dementia-friendly Assembly will help raise awareness and understanding of dementia amongst Assembly Members, the wider Assembly community and Welsh society as a whole.
It will involve AMs, their staff and staff from across the Assembly estate.
"By extending its equality of access to people living with dementia, the National Assembly for Wales will be demonstrating that people with dementia are both welcome and able to participate in civic life," said Sandy Mewies AM, the Assembly Commissioner with responsibility for equalities issues.
"A greater awareness of dementia among AMs would ensure informed and positive debate when they come to legislate on issues that impact on people with dementia and their carers.
"It will also equip them to assist constituents who are affected by dementia.
"The National Assembly will work with Alzheimer's Society to provide an appropriate level of service to people with dementia."
Under the scheme the Assembly will:
- Ensure Alzheimer's Society's Dementia Friends information sessions are delivered to public facing staff so they are equipped to respond to external visitors living with dementia;
- ensure staff who have caring responsibilities for people living with dementia are directed to support available through Alzheimer's Society; and
- provide Dementia Friends information sessions for Assembly Members, their staff, Assembly Commission staff, and contractors working on the estate so that they are equipped to assist constituents and people they come into contact with who are living with dementia.
Almost half of Assembly Members have already become Dementia Friends.
Sue Phelps, Director of Alzheimer's Society in Wales said: "We are delighted that the National Assembly for Wales has made this commitment. Their pledge supports Alzheimer's Society's drive to encourage communities, businesses and other organisations to work towards becoming more dementia-friendly and help to create better environments for people to live well with dementia for as long as possible.
"We need everyone to act now to make changes to empower people with dementia and help them live well in their communities."
Pictured from L-R is Sandy Mewies AM, Assembly Commissioner with responsibility for equalities issues, and Sue Phelps, Director of Alzheimer’s Society Wales.