Dementia Action Week 2025
Table of Contents
Introduction to Dementia Action Week
Dementia Action Week takes place annually in May, this year it is the 19th-25th of May, in 2025. This week is dedicated to raising awareness about dementia and mobilizing action to support those affected by the condition.
The theme for this years campaign focuses on dementia diagnosis, and encouraging individuals and organizations to act on dementia and prioritize it.
It’s important to be aware of dementia and diagnose it early so it can give people access to the care, treatment, and support they need.
What is Dementia?
Dementia describes a set of symptoms that over time can affect memory, problem-solving, language and behaviour. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia.
Dementia refers to a collection of symptoms from various diseases that damage the brain. These symptoms gradually worsen over time and can include:
- Memory loss
- Confusion and difficulty performing everyday tasks
- Challenges with language and comprehension
- Changes in behaviour
Dementia is a progressive condition, meaning symptoms may begin mildly but become more severe as time goes on. There are several types of dementia, with Alzheimers disease being the most common, followed by vascular dementia.
What Causes Dementia?
Dementia is not a normal part of growing older. It occurs when diseases damage the nerve cells in the brain. These nerve cells are responsible for sending messages with the brain and to other parts of the body. As more of them become damaged, the brains ability to function declines.
Many different diseases can lead to dementia. Each affects the brain in its own way, leading to different forms of the condition.
Symptoms
Dementia affects each person differently, and symptoms can vary depending on the type of dementia, especially in the early stages.
There are some common early signs to look out for:
- Memory Loss – such as difficulty remembering recent events
- Trouble with concentration, planning, or organisation – for example finding it hard to make decisions, solve problems, or follow a series of steps.
- Language and communication issues – including problems following conversations or finding the right words.
- Visual and spatial difficulties – such as misjudging distances, struggling to recognise patterns, or having trouble with depth perception.
- Disorientation about time or place – like forgetting the date, time, or getting lost in familiar surroundings.
- Mood changes and emotional control – becoming more anxious, sad, irritable, withdrawn, or experiencing shifts in personality.
In some cases, people with dementia may struggle to distinguish what is real. They might experience hallucinations or delusions.
It’s important to note that not all memory or cognitive problems means someone has dementia. Similar symptoms can also be caused by other conditions such as:
- Brain damage related to alcohol use
- Mild cognitive impairment
- Functional cognitive Decline
Busting Myths and Stigma
There are many misconceptions about dementia that can lead to misunderstanding, fear, or stigma. These myths can prevent people from seeking help or getting the support they need. By separating fact from fiction, we can better understand what dementia is, how it affect people, and why early diagnosis and support are so important.
- Dementia is inevitable with age
This isn’t true, dementia is not a normal part of aging. People over 65 are most likely to get dementia, but it can affect younger people too, even children. This is known as young onset dementia.
- Dementia and Alzheimer’s are the same thing
It’s a common myth that Alzheimer’s and dementia are the same thing. In reality, Alzheimer’s is the most common type of dementia, but there are several others, including vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia (FTD).
Dementia is a general term for a decline in thinking, memory, and behaviour that interferes with daily life. Each type of dementia has different causes, for example, Alzheimer’s is linked to brain plaques and tangles, while vascular dementia results from reduced blood flow, often after a stroke. FTD involves damage in specific areas of the brain due to abnormal protein build-up.
- A family member of mine has dementia, does that mean I will get it too?
It’s a myth that dementia is entirely genetic and that having a family member with dementia means you’ll get it too. While some types, like frontotemporal dementia, have a stronger genetic link, most cases, especially Alzheimer’s are not inherited.
This biggest risk factor for dementia is age, not family history. Even in early-onset Alzheimer’s (which is rare and makes up about 5.5% of cases), the genetic risk is higher but still not guaranteed. In FTD, only around 10-15% of cases show a clear family history.
Are stairlifts safe for people with dementia
Stairlifts can be safe for people with dementia, but it depends on the individuals stage of dementia and their ability to use the equipment consistently and safely. In the early stages, many people are still able to understand and operate a stairlift with minimal support.
However, as dementia progresses, issues like confusion, memory loss, or poor judgment can make stairlift use more risky. Safety features like seatbelts, swivel seats, lockable controls, and caregiver-operated remote controls can help. It’s important to regularly asses the person’s abilities and consult with healthcare professionals or occupational therapists to ensure the stairlift remains a safe solution.
Todays stairlifts are designed with user safety as a top priority, especially for individuals with dementia. Here are some safety features that are particularly helpful:
- Secure Seatbelts – These keep the user safely in place during travel. Most modern stairlifts wont operate unless the seatbelt is fastened reducing the risk of falls.
- Obstacle Detection Sensors – These built-in sensors stop the lift if something is blocking the stairs or track, preventing accidents.
- Swivel Seating – Swivel seats make it easier for users to sit down and get up from the lift safely, reducing the need to twist or step around the chair.
- Simple Controls – User-friendly, intuitive controls help individuals with cognitive impairments operate the stairlift more independently with less confusion.
If you or a loved one are living with dementia and considering a stairlift, our friendly team is here to help. All of our staff are trained to understand and support the unique needs of individuals with dementia.
Ways to take action
If you’re concerned about possible signs of dementia, the best place to start is by speaking with your GP. They can carry out an initial evaluation to understand what’s going on. Being prepared can make the conversation more effective, consider using a symptoms checklist to clearly describe any changes or concerns you’ve noticed.
They can perform an initial assessment to explore the symptoms further. Knowing what to expect and preparing for the appointment can make the conversation more productive. Using a symptoms checklist can help your clearly explain what you’ve noticed.
There are multiple people you can reach out to: