In a joint announcement, three French Ministers expressed their support for people with dementia and their carers on World Alzheimers Day.
Marisol Touraine (Social Affairs and Health Minister), Geneviève Fioraso (Minister for Higher Education and Research) and Michèle Delaunay (Minister for the Elderly and Autonomy) also provided an update on the progress of the new Neurodegenerative Plan. This will be the continuation of Frances pioneering Plan Alzheimer.
Following the evaluation of the 3rd Plan Alzheimer (2008-2012) by Professors Joël Ankri and Christine Van Broeckhoven, four thematic working groups are being formed to identify the measures and actions of the new plan. The themes are:
- improve diagnosis and early detection of the disease
- respond to patients needs at each stage of the disease and in the entire country
- increase awareness and conform to the highest standards of ethics, quality and welfare
- increase the quantity and quality of research.
The new Neurodegenerative plan is expected to be finalised in the first quarter of 2014.