On the occasion of the upcoming elections to the Catalan Parliament on 12 May, various organisations in the field of Alzheimer's and the elderly from all over the country have joined forces to demand that dementia be a priority in legislative action and public policies in the coming years.

ACE Alzheimer Center, the Association of Relatives of People with Alzheimer's and Other Dementias of Barcelona (AFAB), Alzheimer Catalunya Fundació, Pasqual Maragall Foundation and Uszheimer Foundation In this letter, they describe the situation faced by people affected by dementia and their families on a daily basis. More than 120,000 people suffer from Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia in Catalonia. It is estimated that they affect one in 10 people over 65 years of age and a third of those over 85. In addition, the enormous economic cost of caring for and caring for a person with Alzheimer's must be taken into account. It is estimated that this is 37,000 euros per affected person per year, with families assuming 87%.

Current legislation, the design of services and facilities, and public policies do not include the perspective of dementia and the needs of those affected and their families. This results in gaps in the diagnosis and support processes and in loneliness when dealing with very diverse situations.

For this reason, the signatory entities urge the candidates to establish a firm commitment to a National Pact to fight Alzheimer's and other dementias with a comprehensive approach that includes total care, specific social and health resources, inclusion in public policies, support for associative initiatives and greater investment in research, as well as information and awareness for a Catalonia that is respectful and inclusive of those affected.

In the letter, the various signatory entities put themselves at the disposal of the candidates to work together to find solutions and responses that will allow progress to be made in the fight against Alzheimer's disease and dementia.