World Alzheimer's Month

World Alzheimer’s Month: Shedding Light, Spreading Hope

Each September, World Alzheimer’s Month gives us an opportunity to raise awareness, share understanding, and rally resources for those living with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia—as well as those who care for them. According to Alzheimer’s Society figures, in the UK alone, dementia is a growing challenge: around 982,000 people currently live with dementia, and this figure is expected to rise to 1.4 million by 2040.

A recent government study found that more than a third of those affected remain undiagnosed, meaning they don’t have access to early care and support that is available.  In England, by December 2024, 483,000 people aged 65 and over had a formal dementia diagnosis—yet many more likely remain on the margins.

These sources also discuss the steep economic toll: dementia currently costs the UK an estimated £42 billion per year, projected to double by 2040. These figures underscore the urgent need for compassionate, personalised, and community-rooted care.

Bringing Dementia Care to Life: Home Instead in Action

Home Instead Care Professionals are among those making a real difference—providing tailored, person-centered support that nurtures emotional wellbeing, autonomy, and joy in the clients they support.

Reminiscence & Connection

• From trips to favourite local spots around the East Riding to looking through photo albums, and even painting together, caregivers engage clients in the activities they enjoy. As noted in one Google review:

“Dad goes out one afternoon a week with a care pro for 3 hours of activity. He really enjoys it. He has dementia but still enjoys being active.  All of his activities are catered to his needs and abilities.”

• Another review highlights how caregivers rotate clients’ photo albums:

“The caregivers rotate my dad’s photo albums so that he can enjoy the memories that he can still access and they can have a good laugh with him.”

Outdoor Activities & Gardening

• Care professionals often accompany clients on gentle outings—walks, garden visits, or trips to local cafés—bringing familiar joy and connection back into daily life.

Meaningful Activities & Themed Groups

• Activities like Singing for the Brain in Beverley, dementia cafés in Hessle, or memory choirs are vital for social stimulation and emotional support.

Specialised Dementia Training

• Home Instead care professionals benefit from City & Guilds‑accredited dementia training, often enhanced through partnership with the Alzheimer’s Society to develop dementia care champions.
• The 2024 updates added more flexible, online learning modules and practical scenarios, helping caregivers understand dementia’s effects on behaviour and communication.

Real Voices: Client & Family Experiences

Authentic, powerful quotes speak volumes:

• “The care team have been brilliant with our family member living with dementia… staff are very willing to do whatever is needed … online record service is also great…”
• “We’ve been with Home Instead … for over two years… Live‑In Care… has allowed Joe to remain in the village he loves, in the comfort of his own home.”
• “My husband can’t wait for his Care Professionals to come round … He enjoys dancing to music with his Care Professionals and they make him laugh.”

One particularly touching family review illustrates the gift of care and companionship:

“Without Home Instead, she would not have been able to stay at home which was where she wanted to be. The consistency and quality of her carers… she built up really trusting relationships with them. They were a huge support… enabled me to be a daughter more often than a carer.”

From Awareness to Meaningful Action

World Alzheimer’s Month isn’t just a marker on the calendar—it’s a call to action. Behind the statistics are real human lives shaped by memory, relationships, dignity, and joy. Through trained, compassionate professionals, dementia care delivered at home can sustain these values and bring genuine warmth to everyday life.

By supporting people with dementia to live well in this way, we can create a future where people with dementia are seen, heard, and cherished. That, is the best tribute we can offer during World Alzheimer’s Month and beyond.