Alzheimer's Society✓

This early-stage research is an exciting glimpse of what the future of Alzheimer's treatment could look like. There is a long way to go - this was laboratory research in cells so we don't yet know whether it will be safe or effective in the human body - but it's an encouraging first step. With around one million people in the UK living with dementia, we urgently need treatments that can slow it more effectively, stop it progressing or prevent it altogether. Read more here:

In the latest episode of Life Without, our amazing Lived Experience Ambassador Keith Oliver shares his experience of Alzheimer's disease, and how memory loss has affected him. Listen here:

This is terrible. If you've spotted this story and are worried that you or a loved one with dementia might be susceptible to scams, have a read through our advice on how to keep yourself and loved ones safe from financial scams:

‘Scammers took every penny my mum’s got – and got away with it’

What’s your advice for starting a conversation about dementia? When you spot worrying symptoms in a loved one, or yourself, it can feel scary, uncertain, and not easy to talk about. But having the conversation is the first step in getting support and working out what’s causing these symptoms – whether that’s dementia, or something else. What advice would you give for starting the conversation?

Our partners at @edfenergy are offering households free electric blankets, heaters and debt support to help vulnerable households this winter 💙 If you're affected by dementia and struggling with energy costs, speak to your energy provider to find out what support may be available and ensure you’re accessing the help you’re entitled to. Read more here:

Michael Dyson, our CEO, comments on a new report from the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The report lays bare the reality of a system unable to keep pace with growing demand, while access to high-quality care is a postcode lottery. 'For people living with dementia, who bear the brunt of these shortcomings, the findings will be particularly alarming. The report highlights concerning gaps in training, with fewer than half of care staff receiving dementia-specific training as part of their induction. This leaves many without the skills needed to deliver high-quality care. 'People living with dementia are one of the largest groups of people who rely on care. We welcome Baroness Casey’s review of social care and the government’s proposed National Care Service. Dementia must be at the heart of these reforms and people affected by dementia cannot be left waiting. 'Alzheimer’s Society is calling for mandatory dementia training for the social care workforce, so staff have the skills, knowledge and confidence to provide high-quality, person-centred dementia care.' 🔗 click here to read more:

A first-of-its-kind clinical trial could cut years from the search for treatments that work for people with Alzheimer’s disease. The national trial, called AD-SMART, will test multiple drugs simultaneously, starting with two repurposed medicines already used to treat type 2 diabetes and ADHD. Testing drugs that are already approved to treat other conditions and known to be safe means that, if successful, treatments can reach people living with Alzheimer’s much faster than a medicine developed from scratch. Trials like this, which test multiple drugs simultaneously, have been successfully used across other diseases such as cancer. Now we hope to see dementia research follow in their footsteps to speed up advances. We know that people affected by dementia are eager to see effective drug options, so it's fantastic to see an innovative trial like AD-SMART recruiting patients. The national trial is led by the UK Dementia Research Institute and Alzheimer’s Research UK, in partnership with the National Institute for Health and Care Research, the Medical Research Council and Health Data Research UK, with ongoing funding committed by UK government to support the trial.

Are you ready for winter? ❄️ The colder months can be tough for people living with dementia – but with the right support and a little bit of forward planning, we can help our loved ones stay safe, warm, and independent. Thanks to our partnership with the Gas Distribution Network, there are several ways to access financial and practical support before the cold weather sets in and things become more urgent. If you care for someone with dementia, here are a few things you can do now to help make sure the winter is safe, comfortable and affordable: Fit & test carbon monoxide alarms regularly. Get your boiler serviced ahead of winter. Call our Dementia Support Line for info on local grants for energy costs. Close curtains at dusk and use draught excluders to keep warmth inside. Set the thermostat and use timers – aiming for around 18–21°C. Join the Priority Services Register – a free support service for people living with dementia.

Find more info about energy efficiency, the Priority Services Register and carbon monoxide safety, produced through our Gas Distribution Network partnership, here:

Kelsea wrote this wonderful poem for Nanny Linda who had dementia, but sadly passed away last month. 💙 The poem, titled Nan, reads: Nan Where are you going? Please come back Seeing you disappear in front of our eyes Breaking our hearts We just wanted you back Sometimes you showed glimpses Glimpses that you was still there You still made us all smile and laugh But seconds later we could see it in your eyes We knew, we knew you was scared We were too and we still are. This horrible disease called Alzheimer’s It come along and was taking you away right in front of our eyes And now it has taken you How is this fair? You didn’t know what was happening You were scared, confused & sad We are so sorry that this happened to you If there is anything we could have done We would have, to make this all stop and bring you back But unfortunately we can’t No matter what, you had your family For the rest of your days Although it may have been too late on your last day We were all there Your husband, your sons, your grandchildren and your daughter-in-laws We were all there And no matter what Alzheimer’s took from us all. We know what you will always be to us. A Beautiful Wife, a Amazing Mum and a Wonderful Nanny. Love you Nan

75% of people believe the NHS should fund new treatments that slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease. While current dementia medications can help some people manage symptoms, new disease-modifying treatments are designed to slow the underlying disease process in people with early Alzheimer's disease, which is the leading cause of dementia. Two of these treatments, lecanemab and donanemab, were licensed as safe and effective in Britain in 2024. But NICE, the organisation which assesses treatments and decides which ones should be available on the NHS, did not recommend them for routine NHS use. However discussions are now taking place about alternative arrangements that could enable people to access these drugs. As well as considering the impact on people living with dementia, for the first time NICE is considering the potential benefits to carers as part of its appraisal. These treatments mark an important step in how we treat and view dementia. We’ve seen with cancer how new treatments have become more effective, safer and more affordable over time. And with the right support, we believe this will happen with dementia. Like this post if you agree that the NHS should fund these treatments.

Menopause or dementia? Some of the symptoms can look surprisingly similar. Symptoms of menopause and perimenopause can include mood changes, brain fog and problems with memory. These can also be early symptoms of dementia. Menopause generally occurs between ages 45-55 (though this varies), and perimenopause symptoms can appear much earlier. Dementia usually develops after 65, but can happen earlier - meaning there can be an overlap in when symptoms appear. However experiencing brain fog or forgetfulness during menopause does not necessarily mean that you have dementia. A key difference is that, with dementia, problems tend to get progressively worse over time. You may also notice additional symptoms appearing - like problems with language, and needing help with everyday tasks. But if you’re worried about changes you’re experiencing, it’s important not to dismiss your concerns. Speak to your GP about your symptoms, as knowing what’s causing them can help you find the right support. And if you’re unhappy with your GP’s assessment, remember that you can always request a second opinion. By talking more openly about dementia and menopause, we can help people recognise when something has changed and feel confident seeking support. And if you need more information, support or advice, give our Dementia Support Line a call on 0333 150 3456.

A simple blood test could help change the future of dementia diagnosis. The Blood Biomarker Challenge is a ground-breaking research initiative which aims to bring blood tests for dementia diagnosis into the NHS by 2030. Dementia is the leading cause of death in the UK, yet over a third of people living with the condition remain undiagnosed - meaning they can’t access the treatment, care, and support they urgently need. These blood tests could offer a less invasive and more accessible way to help identify the diseases that cause dementia, helping more people get the early and accurate diagnosis they deserve. This would give more families the chance to plan for the future, access appropriate treatments and support, and take part in research. In due course, these tests are likely to be needed to access emerging treatments that may slow the progression of dementia. Watch our video to find out more about how these blood tests work, and the difference they could make. The Blood Biomarker Challenge is supported by Alzheimer’s Society, @AlzResearchUK, @NIHRresearch, Gates Ventures and @PostcodeLottery players.

Learn more by visiting the Blood Biomarker Challenge website:

Jon Snow is bringing his signature colourful style to Alzheimer’s Society! 🧦 Together with designer Victoria Richards, legendary broadcaster Jon Snow has created a pair of luxury socks and a limited-edition silk tie, inspired by our colours and his unmistakable style. Following his Alzheimer’s diagnosis, @jonsnowC4 hopes the collection will help raise awareness and vital funds for Alzheimer’s Society.

Want your own? The socks and tie are both available for pre-order in our online shop! Grab yours here:

We were at the Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham last week, putting dementia firmly on the agenda. Alongside @TotalPolitics, we hosted a panel exploring whether the UK is ready for the future of dementia care, including how we improve diagnosis, support the workforce and ensure innovation reaches people affected by dementia safely and fairly. We were grateful to hear from Maria Higson, @GregoryStafford MP, Lord @JimBethell , Professor Paresh Malhotra, and our very own Jennifer Keen, discussing the big issues facing dementia today, but also sharing their hopes for the future. A special thanks to those who attended and contributed to such important conversations surrounding dementia.

'Hard. It took approx 18 months in total. Family Doctor initially laughed it off saying we all get forgetful as we get older. What, at 52 years?' What was your experience of getting a dementia diagnosis? We asked you this question and had hundreds of replies sharing the huge challenges you've faced when trying to get a dementia diagnosis for your self or a loved one. ‘Shocking. Wrong diagnosis 3 times. Each time diagnosed and discharge. No support or after care for a life limiting condition.’ ‘It took so long from raising concerns to get a diagnosis. Now we have it and thats it, no support or assessment/monitoring.’ ‘It’s been absolutely horrific experience and it’s taking an extremely long time to get anywhere. Constantly get given time frames that aren’t stuck too.’ ‘The doctors delayed it by 2 years . Do not let them . Say you want a memory assessment. Doctors cannot diagnose it with 5 questions.’ ‘Let's just say it's not for the faint hearted or someone who doesn't have the resilience, motivation or energy to constantly chase things up, which it would seem is the only way to progress anything. Exhausting for carers.’ ‘Shocking experience. the doctor just not good enough in diagnosing. My father ended up getting sectioned after almost burning the house down and flooding it several times. it’s one of the saddest diseases known to mankind.’ ‘Distressing for my mum, the consultants treated my mum as if she wasn’t present and frightened the life out of her whereby she thought she was going to be taken away.’ Which of these reflect the experience you’ve had?

'Now I'm Prime Minister, it's a personal mission I'm determined to see through.' Fresh after announcing new investment to make dementia research a national priority, Andy Burnham has vowed to 'throw the weight of government' at defeating dementia in memory of his father. 'This is personal for me. I know how it feels to lose a loved one to dementia. 'That's why I'm pleased to support the Daily Mail and Alzheimer's Society's Defeating Dementia campaign. We'll throw the weight of government behind that effort.' 'Not just because of my dad, but because this is a country full of fathers and mothers, friends and loved ones, who all deserve to be treated with dignity as they age. 'Dementia is a devastatingly cruel disease, not only for those who live with it, but for the families who care for them.' 'For too long, we have accepted dementia as something to be managed later in life, rather than a disease we can defeat. I don't accept that. 'I want Britain to be the leading nation in dementia research, making the breakthroughs that change people's lives. This is a significant moment for dementia and we welcome the Prime Minister’s ambition for the UK to lead the world in discovering new treatments to beat dementia. Read the full articles in the Daily Mail at Image credit: Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street Edited to add blue background.

The Prime Minister is making dementia research a priority. This is a huge moment! He set out an ambition for the UK to lead the world in discovering new treatments to beat dementia, alongside substantial new investment in The BARBARA Alliance. It's a major vote of confidence in the researchers, clinicians and organisations working together to accelerate progress, remove barriers to clinical trials and accelerate progress towards new treatments. With sustained investment, earlier diagnosis and a determination to make research accessible to everyone, we have a real opportunity to create the change that's so desperately needed. Read more about this announcement at: Photo credit: By Alecsandra Dragoi / No 10 Downing Street, OGL 3,