Luxembourg responds to growing dementia problem

(JB) The number of dementia patients in Luxembourg is expected to rise to 8,500 over the next ten years, the Health Ministry has confirmed.

Currently, the country has around 6,000 people who are being treated for the debilitating memory disorder which affects personality and reasoning.

Brain degenerating disease Alzheimer's makes up around 80 percent of these cases.

To mark World Day of Alzheimer's disease on September 21, the Luxembourg Health Ministry says it is working on an “innovative approach for the benefit of people with a dementia disease”, focusing on early detection, proper support after diagnosis and secondary prevention.

It launched a Dementia Prevention Programme in June 2015 and will present it as a model to other EU member states during and an informal meeting of Ministers of Health (September 24-25, 2015).

The programme sets out to slow development of the disorder in patients enabling them to better manage it. To find out more about the programme and about care and support for dementia patients and their carers in Luxembourg, visit

• www.demenz.lu

•  www.demence.lu 

• www.santé.lu

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