Dementia Action Week 16 - 21 May 2022
What is Dementia Action Week?
Led by Alzheimer’s Society, Dementia Action Week is a national event that sees the public coming together to take action to improve the lives of people affected by dementia. This year they are encouraging people to ‘Act on Dementia’ and the theme is ‘Diagnosis’.
If you or a loved one is experiencing memory loss, it could be a sign of dementia.
Our research shows that the misconception around memory loss being a sign of normal ageing is the biggest barrier to people seeking a dementia diagnosis.
With diagnosis rates falling to a five-year low, we want to encourage those who might be living with undiagnosed dementia to come to us for guidance and support and feel empowered to take the next step.
Getting a diagnosis can be daunting, but we believe it’s better to know. And so do 91% of people affected by dementia.
Why have Alzheimer’s Society chosen diagnosis as this year’s theme?
With a sustained drop in dementia diagnosis rates for the first time ever, we undertook research to understand the key barriers and benefits of getting a diagnosis.
As well as the misconception around memory loss just being part of getting old, our research found being in denial, and referral times to specialists, are big barriers for those experiencing symptoms to seek a diagnosis.
This Dementia Action Week, we want to encourage those who might be living with, or close to someone who might be living with, with undiagnosed dementia to:
• be able to understand and recognise potential dementia symptoms
• come to us for guidance and support
• feel empowered to take the next step
• improve the diagnosis process for both them and healthcare professionals.
