Dementia Action Week is Alzheimer’s Society’s biggest and longest running awareness campaign.
Each year, the charity works with individuals and organisations across the UK to encourage people to ‘act on dementia’. This year’s campaign runs from 16-22 May and the theme is diagnosis.
If you or a loved one is experiencing memory loss, it could be a sign of dementia.
Alzheimer’s Society 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, they 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, Alzheimer’s undertook research to understand the key barriers and benefits to getting a diagnosis.
As well as the misconception around memory loss just being part of getting old, the charity’s 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 undiagnosed dementia, or close to someone who might be living with it, to:
– be able to understand and recognise potential dementia symptoms
– go to Alzheimer’s Society for guidance and support
– feel empowered to take the next step
– improve the diagnosis process for both them and healthcare professionals.
What is happening during Dementia Action Week?
Alzheimer’s Society is encouraging those who are concerned they or a loved one may be experiencing signs of dementia to come to them for support and guidance.
They will offer practical advice and information on what next steps to take, what to expect during and after the diagnosis process, and what support Alzheimer’s Society can offer throughout. Because they believe it’s better to know.
Over 9 in10 people affected by dementia say getting a diagnosis has benefitted them.
It allows them to receive practical advice and support, to plan for the future, and can even offer a sense of relief in knowing what’s going on.
“At Coate Water Care we have a huge amount of respect for the work Alzheimer’s Society does,” says Jamie Smith, Projects & Development Director at Coate Water Care, “and the focus on encouraging people to get a diagnosis sooner rather than later is a vital message to get out there.”
To find out more about any of Coate Water Care’s nine residential care homes, about the way we care for people living with dementia or to book a viewing please contact our friendly Welcome Team on 01793 821200.
