Dementia Action Week 2025
One in three people born in the UK today will be diagnosed with dementia in their lifetime. 1.4 million people are expected to be living with dementia by 2040.
We all have a role to play in making the UK a dementia-friendly place to live and that’s what Dementia Action Week is all about.
What is dementia?
Dementia is a group of symptoms (signs) that show that the brain has a disease. As this disease causes changes in the brain, it cannot work properly.
Only some people get dementia. It does not happen to everyone as they get older. Most people with dementia are over 65 years old. But younger people can also get dementia and this is called young-onset dementia. Most people with dementia have Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, or dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB).
Changes that happen with dementia
A person with dementia may forget things and be confused. They may think, feel, speak and act differently. They can be confused. These changes can be small but they will get worse. How quickly this happens can be very different from person to person.
Guide to detecting the early signs of dementia in the elderly.
Worried about memory problems
Becoming forgetful doesn't mean you have dementia. Memory loss can be caused by physical or mental health problems, and sometimes it's a just a normal sign of ageing. But it's always better to know.
Dementia diagnosis
Find out how to get a dementia diagnosis and why it can help you access the right support. Diagnosis stages are different for everyone and we can offer advice and a symptoms checklist to help you speak to your doctor.
Newly diagnosed with dementia
Being diagnosed with dementia might make you feel sad, fearful, lost, alone, angry or even disbelieving. How you feel will probably vary from one day to the next.
If you can, talk to friends and family about how you’re feeling. When you feel ready, it can be helpful to start creating a plan for the future.
Understanding and supporting a person with dementia
Support should be sensitive to the person as an individual and should focus on promoting their wellbeing and meeting their needs. It's important to focus on what the person still does have, not on what they may have lost. Concentrate on what the person feels, rather than what they remember.
