World Alzheimer’s Month

Every September, World Alzheimer’s Month provides a global spotlight for dementia, culminating in World Alzheimer’s Day on 21 September, a moment to mobilise communities, share stories, and advocate for action across the health and social care sectors.

This year, Alzheimer’s Society urges those affected by dementia to ‘bring it out from behind closed doors’ by sharing personal stories. These narratives help lift the silence around dementia, making a compelling case for placing it higher on political and social agendas. The campaign’s rallying cry, that dementia is the UK’s largest health and social care crisis, reinforces the urgency for public, political and systemic recognition.

Stigma and misconceptions remain formidable barriers. The World Alzheimer Report 2024 revealed that 65 per cent of health and care professionals worldwide incorrectly believe dementia is a normal part of ageing, a misconception shared broadly with the public. In the UK alone, dementia affects nearly one million people, with projections suggesting it will rise to 1.4 million by 2040. The financial costs are equally staggering: care, health services and unpaid care combined may nearly double, from £42.5 billion today to £90.6 billion by 2040; yet, only 1.4 per cent of healthcare costs currently support early diagnosis.

World Alzheimer’s Month highlights the vital role of early diagnosis, community support, and shared storytelling to drive change. By encouraging voices to be heard, through campaigners, Memory Walks, or personal testimonies, the initiative aims to shift dementia from a hidden, misunderstood issue to a national priority.

Let’s harness this September to challenge stigma, demand better care and diagnosis, and stand with those whose lives and dignity depend on society recognising the real cost, and value, of care.

Check out Alzheimer’s Society website to learn more about how to get involved: https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-involved/world-alzheimers-month