Understanding Dementia within National Dementia Policy in England: A Critical Discourse Analysis

Abstract

Dementia is recognised as a public health priority globally. There are around 800,000 people with dementia in the UK and by 2040; this figure is expected to double. Since the publication of the ‘Living Well with Dementia’: A National Dementia Strategy’ in 2009 in England, a series of dementia policies have been established to improve the lives of people with dementia through increased societal awareness of dementia, earlier diagnosis and a cultural change in health and social care. This research aimed to identify dominant discourses underpinning national policy and consider their implications on the development of health and social care training.