Dementia Action Week 13th - 19th May 2024

What is Dementia Action Week?

Dementia Action Week is an awareness raising campaign. Each year, we work with individuals and organisations across the UK to encourage people to ‘act on dementia’.

Worried about memory problems?

If you or a loved one are experiencing memory loss, it could be a sign of something more serious. Our advice will help you understand if your symptoms are related to dementia.

What will be the focus for 2024?

Increasing diagnosis rates is such an important issue that we're focusing on it again this year.

Following a sustained drop in dementia diagnosis rates for the first time ever, we 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, our research found being in denial, and referral times to specialists, are big barriers for those experiencing symptoms to seek a diagnosis. 

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

This Dementia Action Week, we’ll be involving more healthcare professionals and building on the success of our symptoms checklist. By working together, we want to improve people’s diagnosis experience and ensure they get a timely diagnosis.

Where can I find more information on memory loss and diagnosis?

It’s important that those who are concerned that they or someone close to them might be experiencing signs of dementia continue to come to us for guidance and support.

This includes reading our new information on memory loss and diagnosis, using our symptoms checklist to help describe symptoms to GPs, and watching first-hand stories from people living with and affected by dementia on the benefits of getting a diagnosis. 

Become a Dementia Friend

Epping Forest Dementia Action Alliance

Virtual Dementia Friends Information Session

Monday 19th June 2023, 1-2pm

During this friendly and interactive session you will learn more about dementia, how it affects a person and what you can do, professionally and personally, to help people affected by dementia in our community. You will then become a Dementia Friend. Anyone of any age can become a Dementia Friend.

 

Please contact Laura directly should you wish to sign up lcleverley@eppingforestdc.gov.uk