A new strategy in the fight against dementia has been agreed by council bosses in Wolverhampton.

The City of Wolverhampton Council's cabinet approved the updated Joint Dementia Strategy 2019-2024 at a meeting on Wednesday (July 31).

The action plan is to ensure clear and better partnership working between groups including the council and Wolverhampton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).

Aims of the strategy will be based around prevention, getting early diagnosis, supporting those living with the disease, making Wolverhampton a dementia friendly city and ensuring sufferers can die with dignity.

The strategy was developed over a 12 month period by people in public health, social care, the CCG, health professionals and the voluntary sector.

Council leader Ian Brookfield: “The work that has been ongoing to make Wolverhampton one of the top dementia friendly and caring cities in the country has to be recognised.

"Dementia has got to be one of the cruelest diseases ever inflicted on the human race - attacking our minds and our thoughts and our feelings.

"Anything that we can do to get early treatment we should do.

"I’m really pleased that this has come forward and yes, I make no bones about it, I want to see more as we go through the years.

"Let’s make a challenge and promise to ourselves that here in Wolverhampton by 2020, we will be leading the country in our dementia awareness and the help we give people and families suffering dementia."

Wolverhampton Civic Centre.

Councillor Linda Leach, cabinet member for adults, said: "There is a lot of good practice already happening in the city, however this support was not always clear to individuals and professionals.

"The strategy aims to join work better across the system. We will continue to identify any gaps or needs such as the experience of those who are hard of hearing, deaf or from specific ethnic communities.

"It promotes messages of prevention and recognises that more work needs to be done to engage with our diverse communities to provide better universal services to more specialist services.

"An action plan to implement the strategy has been developed and is monitored by the Better Care Fund programme board.

"The dementia strategy group will also meet twice a year to continue to develop good practice within the city.

"Examples of things that are working well are we are increasing the number of people being diagnosed with dementia so they get earlier access to help. We are also supporting more people to attend our wonderful dementia cafe."

Recommended foods for living well with Alzheimer’s and dementia

Fish such as salmon or mackerel and other foods rich in Omega 3 oil or capsules if preferred, taken 2-3 times a day

Wholegrains, especially oats

Wholemeal bread

Beans

Sweet potatoes, carrots and swede

Leafy green vegetables such as broccoli, kale and spinach

Mushrooms, especially brown varieties

Nuts, especially Brazils and walnuts

Berries, especially blueberries, blackberries and strawberries and preferably fresh, not frozen

Linseeds

Sunflower seeds

Herbs and spices

Tea, especially herbal and green teas, taken without sugar and with low-fat or no milk

Coffee

Good quality dark chocolate (with a cocoa content of 70 per cent or more)