Dementia Action Week

It’s not called getting old, it’s called getting ill.

Dementia diagnosis rates have stagnated, many are facing dementia alone, without access to the vital support that a diagnosis can bring.

This Dementia Action Week we're encouraging individuals and their families to seek a timely diagnosis and avoid reaching crisis point.

Getting a diagnosis can be daunting, but we believe it’s better to know. And so do 91% of people living with dementia.

Complete the symptoms checklist

If you're worried about yourself or someone close to you, complete our symptoms checklist and show it to a GP or health professional. You can fill in the checklist online or print it out and complete it offline. 

Complete online Print a copy

We’re here to support you

An A4 poster of dementia information in Punjabi on a blue background

Dementia information in your language

We have dementia information in languages other than English, to help you get the support you need if you live in the UK.

Find information in your language

What is Dementia Action Week?

Dementia Action Week (15-21 May) is an awareness raising campaign. Each year, Alzheimer's Society works with individuals and organisations across the UK to encourage people to act on dementia. This year's theme is dementia diagnosis.

We're encouraging those who are worried about dementia to use our Royal College of GP’s accredited symptoms checklist. We're also offering practical advice on what to expect during and after the diagnosis process.

We want to encourage those who might be living with undiagnosed dementia to:

  • understand and recognise potential dementia symptoms
  • come to Alzheimer's Society for guidance and support
  • feel empowered to take their next step
  • improve the diagnosis process for both them and healthcare professionals.

For Dementia Action Week updates follow Alzheimer's Society:

With a sustained drop in dementia diagnosis rates, we undertook research to understand the key barriers to and benefits from getting a diagnosis.

As well as misconceptions around memory loss being a normal part of ageing, we found being in denial and specialist referral times are the biggest barriers to getting people to seek a diagnosis. 

How to get a dementia diagnosis

Research shows that the biggest barrier stopping people seeking a diagnosis was thinking memory loss is a normal sign of ageing.

We found 9 in 10 people living with dementia said getting a diagnosis had befitted them, with on average two to three recognisable benefits.

Of those we spoke to who waited to get a diagnosis for two or more years, three in five wished they had got that diagnosis sooner.

Getting a timely diagnosis means you can:

  • get practical advice from professionals and organisations
  • plan for the future
  • feel a sense of relief knowing your next steps.
  • And most importantly, you can avoid reaching crisis point.

Benefits of getting dementia diagnosed

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