Dementia Awareness Week 2026
From diagnosis to advanced care, support should be there at every stage. Not just when things reach crisis point.
Better care, full stop
Our 2026 Dementia Awareness Week campaign strapline, ‘Better care, full stop’ highlights the importance of good quality and consistent care regardless of location or stage of the condition.
Why we need change
For other major health conditions like cancer, heart disease and diabetes, Scotland already has clear national care pathways. These guarantee timely diagnosis, consistent treatment, and specialist support no matter where someone lives. But for dementia, there is no such guarantee. Instead:
- Early diagnosis is patchy and inconsistent
- Post diagnostic support is a postcode lottery
- Families and carers are left waiting until crisis before they can access help
- Our open-market based care home system is on the brink of collapse
This means people living with dementia are denied the same security, fairness and dignity that others with long-term health conditions can rely on.
On top of that, vital community services that support tens of thousands of people living with dementia and their families and carers are being cut across the country. The devastating decisions to cut these services are being made behind closed doors, with no public consultation and no voice for the people most affected.
Among the worst affected areas are care at home, respite and day care services, which provide lifeline support to people who are in a moderate to advanced stage of their illness.
Your stories
We met up with some inspiring people who were happy to share their stories and tell us some of the issues they have faced when looking for support.
Click the links below to watch videos and read more about these important stories:
Chris’ story
When we met up with Chris, he told us how the unexpected dementia diagnosis received by his husband Douglas left them both struggling to adapt and to find the right support.
Bruce’s story
Bruce tells of his struggle to access care and support for his wife Alison after her diagnosis of Lewy Body dementia.
Stuart’s story
Stuart describes the huge difference that a positive diagnosis experience and continuing support has made to his life, and why he believes everyone affected by dementia must get the help they need
What we are calling for
We’re calling on the Scottish Government to build a national, consistent standard of care that ends the postcode lottery for good. Our Care Pathway Guarantees outline the services and support that must be available for people with dementia and their carers, to ensure well-timed, effective care throughout the progression of the condition for everyone, every time.
How you can help
Following the Scottish Parliamentary election in May, the country has a fresh set of MSPs, and we’re looking to make sure that dementia is at the top of their priority list. We have made is easy for you to email your representatives with just a few clicks of a button, and get them to join our campaign to build a national, consistent standard of care for dementia.
Tea and blether
This Dementia Awareness Week (1–8 June), bring people together for a Tea & Blether and help make sure no one faces dementia alone.