Dementia Action Week: What You Need to Know

Summary

Dementia Action Week is an annual event ran by Alzheimer's Society designed to raise awareness, improve education, and reduce stigma about dementia. This year, Dementia Action Week will be held from Mon 18th May to Sun 24th May, with events occurring throughout the week and during the run-up.

Individuals, communities, and businesses across the country are encouraged to participate in and organise events. Ultimately, by encouraging everyone to take action for dementia, the UK becomes a better place to live for all those affected by this heart-breaking disease.

What’s discussed in this article

• What is Dementia Action Week?
• Why was Dementia Action Week started?
• Getting involved in Dementia Action Week
• What is Lumiio doing in Dementia Action Week?

What is Dementia Action Week?

Dementia Action Week is an annual, week-long campaign ran by the charity Alzheimer’s Society. It aims to boost awareness about the disease and increase support for all those affected by dementia, whether that is those living with dementia or their carers and loved ones.

What Happens in Dementia Action Week?

This campaign is designed to raise awareness and improve education in the hope of improving diagnosis rate, reducing stigma, and boosting quality of life for those living with the disease. A large focus is also on bringing together communities across the country to take action for dementia. By committing to dementia friendly acts, pushing for better legislation, and increasing funding, the cruelty and hardship of dementia is lessened for all those affected by it.

To improve the lives of those affected by dementia in the UK, there are many different events, activities, and actions during Dementia Action Week for people to take part in. These could be:

• Volunteering at a local memory café or dementia charity
• Educational talks or webinars about dementia
• Dementia bake sales 
• Making your workplace more dementia friendly
• Dementia friendly musical afternoons/arts and crafts sessions 
• Dementia information fairs
• Walks for dementia

Why Did Alzheimer’s Society Start Dementia Action Week?

Diagnosis rates for dementia in the UK are low, with 1 in 3 individuals living with dementia without a formal diagnosis. This was a key catalyst for Alzheimer's Society to begin running this campaign, as their research has shown that an early diagnosis can hugely improve life quality.

Improving diagnosis rates requires better awareness about the main symptoms of dementia, so individuals can recognise when themselves or a loved one may be developing it. Equally, to ensure individuals are not afraid or ashamed to seek a diagnosis it is also crucial to reduce the social stigma surrounding dementia, as this removes a key barrier that often causes individuals to avoid diagnosis.

Equally, by increasing awareness and pushing individuals, communities, and organisations to commit to becoming more dementia friendly, the UK becomes a better place to live for those living with and those affected by dementia.

When is Dementia Action Week?

In 2026, Dementia Action Week takes place between Monday 18th May and Sunday 24th May.  As it is only 2 months away, at the time of writing, it’s important for everyone to get in the know and start planning their dementia friendly actions!

Who Takes Part in Dementia Action Week?

Dementia Action Week is ran by the charity Alzheimer's Society, but many organisations and other charities take part from across the country. The campaign also encourages individuals, local communities, councils, and businesses to do their bit by acting for dementia and committing to be Dementia Friendly.

How Can You Get Involved in Dementia Action Week?

During the run up and throughout Dementia Action week there will be various events designed to increase awareness, educate, socialise, and support those affected by dementia. Organising your own events, fundraisers, or education campaigns are encouraged.

It is also important to become part of the Dementia Friends Network; this is a programme designed by Alzheimer’s Society that focuses on giving people better awareness about dementia and also encouraging them to commit Dementia Friendly actions. To read more about this, visit the Alzheimer’s Society website.

What is Lumiio doing in Dementia Action Week?

Throughout the 18th-24th the Lumiio team will be attending various events, both in-person and virtual. We will also be posting content across our social media platforms and on this blog to increase dementia education and raise awareness. In particular we want to shine a light on how prevalent missing events are for those living with dementia, as up to 70% of individuals with dementia will go missing at least once during the disease’s progression.

Confirmed Events

• Mon 18th May- Citizens Advice Talk in Richmond
• Wed 20th May- "Living Well with Dementia" at the Great Conservatory in Syon Park
• More to come!