Scotland’s Dementia Awareness Week is Monday 4June to Sunday 10 June 2018. We’re calling on the nation to help make sure nobody faces dementia alone.

Dementia is the biggest health and social care challenge faced by society today affecting almost every family in Scotland. Alzheimer Scotland is calling on everyone to find out more about dementia, especially the small but vital things we can all do to help people live well with the condition. With the right information, care and support – alongside better public awareness and understanding – people with dementia will be recognised, valued and supported in their local communities.

Welcoming Scotland’s Dementia Awareness Week, Henry Simmons, Chief Executive of Alzheimer Scotland, said: “Dementia is Scotland’s biggest public health issue. We want people to join with us this Dementia Awareness Week and be part of a collective voice calling for the best possible information, support, care and recognition for everyone living with dementia. Together, we can make a real difference.”

There are 90,000 people living with dementia in Scotland and it is now estimated that 20,000 people will be diagnosed with the condition every year by 2020.

Henry Rankin, member of the Scottish Dementia Working Group, who is living with dementia, said: “Being diagnosed with dementia turned my life upside down. I wasn’t sure what would happen, or how I would cope. How would people treat me when they knew I had dementia? But with the right help, I’ve been able to plan ahead and decide what I want to do. I’m being supported to live well with dementia. I hope that this Dementia Awareness Week, more people find out about dementia, what it means to have the condition and how they could help.”

How you can get involved

  • Find out what’s happening near you by visiting www.alzscot.org/daw
  • Learn about dementia
  • Understand more about the things you can do to support people living with dementia by becoming a Dementia Friend: www.dementiafriendsscotland.org .
  • Support Alzheimer Scotland to ensure nobody faces dementia alone – find out more: www.alzscot.org/donate.
  • Join the conversation across social media using #DementiaAwareness.

If you have any questions about dementia and of the support available in your area call Alzheimer Scotland’s 24 Dementia Helpline on 0808 808 3000 or visit the website at www.alzscot.org.

Related content