Dementia Action Week 2024

Dementia Action Week is an awareness raising campaign taking place 13-19 May 2024. Each year, Alzheimer’s Society works with individuals and organisations across the UK to encourage people to act on dementia.

More people are being diagnosed than we realise. There are currently around 900,000 people with dementia in the UK. There are projected to be over one million people with dementia in the UK by 2025. This is projected to rise to nearly 1.6million in 2040. 

Dementia not only affects those diagnosed, but also their loved ones. It is a cruel disease that robs people of who they are while those around them do their best to care for them. Members of the team shared their experiences of having loved ones with dementia, in the hopes of raising awareness of the impact it has on so many lives. 

  • “I’ve lost and am losing family members to Alzheimer’s. It’s a cruel disease. It gradually erodes away individual’s independence, dignity, and identity. My wishes go out to anyone whose lives it impacts.” 
  •  “My grandmother was diagnosed when I was young. It felt like I never really got to know her and it was hard to watch my dad lose his mum. I was always told stories about what a strong woman she was. When we visited her, we would always play music that she recognised, and she would light up and sing along. It was one of the only ways we were able to connect with her, and that is the lasting memory I have of her.”
  • “My grandma had Alzheimer’s from her 60’s.  In some ways we lost her many years before she died.  My aunt was diagnosed with it 2 years ago.  And my dad this last Christmas. I’d never have thought so many close family members could be affected like this.”
  • “I am very close to my dad, he has been blind (very poor eyesight) for all of my life. Throughout my childhood, I was dad‘s sidekick. He taught me everything, maths, English, car mechanics, DIY, decorating, gardening, including landscaping, together with good old common sense. He also invented and patented Incredible work, from an engineering perspective.
    “Unfortunately, dad’s health has steadily deteriorated ever since I can remember. He was rendered totally blind whilst in his early 40s. Without a doubt the most cruel and debilitating diagnosis is his one of dementia. Dad still knows who he is and fortunately who I am. I have daily contact with dad, whether it be in person or over the phone.
    “I pray that dementia is cured so no one, the patient or family members suffers the pain.” 

The Alzheimer’s Society  support and resources available such as information on symptoms to look out for and managing potential risks of dementia. If you are affected by dementia, worried about a diagnosis or a carer, there is also a support line with trained staff who ready to give you the support you need.