This week is Dementia Action Week. It's predicted that by 2055 there will be over 100,000 people in Wales living with dementia. It's vital that as a nation we increase our awareness and understanding of dementia to break down stigma and support people to live well in their communities for as long as possible. Dementia is not a natural part of ageing. The disease doesn't discriminate. It doesn't care who you are and could happen to any of us. A dementia diagnosis isn't only difficult for the person affected, but for everyone close to them. The Alzheimer's Society Dementia Friends is the biggest ever initiative to transform the way the nation thinks, acts and talks about dementia. It aims to help people to understand what it might be like to live with dementia, and turn that understanding into action.

In 2015, this Assembly committed to becoming dementia-friendly. To date, only half of us have done the training. It's time that we fulfil the pledge for all 60 AMs to become dementia friends. This will be a bold step towards making us the world's first dementia-friendly Parliament. The training takes just over half an hour, and I would encourage everyone here to do it. And we shouldn't stop there. We should encourage our own offices and those in our communities to do the training. Life doesn't end when dementia begins. With support, people can live well with dementia, so every action counts.