World Alzheimer’s Month in Warminster & Gillingham
This September, Home Instead is sharing local stories, raising awareness, and helping make dementia impossible to ignore
September marks World Alzheimer’s Month, a time for communities to come together and say clearly: dementia cannot be overlooked. Here in Warminster and Gillingham, we’re proud to be part of that message. At Home Instead, we’re using this month to highlight local voices, share stories from our care professionals and clients, and take real action that raises awareness. Whether we’re attending memory walks, hosting in-office events, or simply creating space for meaningful conversations, we’re making dementia visible in the places we live and work. Because in our community, support starts with listening, and change starts when we stop ignoring what matters.
In this blog, we’ll explain why World Alzheimer’s Month is such a vital campaign, how we’re getting involved in Warminster and Gillingham, and what you can do to help make dementia impossible to ignore this September.
Why This Month Matters More Than Ever
Dementia is the UK’s leading cause of death. It touches every generation, including people diagnosed in their 40s and 50s, and it affects over 55 million people globally. Despite this, dementia continues to receive inadequate attention in healthcare planning, policy debates, and community resources.
As the Alzheimer’s Society rightly states, it remains “the UK’s forgotten crisis.”
For families in Warminster, Gillingham and the surrounding villages, this crisis is personal. Every week, we speak with local people who are trying to navigate complex care systems, make sense of a diagnosis, or find ways to keep their loved ones safe at home. It’s emotional, draining, and, all too often, lonely.
World Alzheimer’s Month is our opportunity to change that. Together, we can raise awareness, challenge misconceptions, and support each other with compassion and purpose.
What You Can Do This September
There’s no single way to support World Alzheimer’s Month, but every action counts. Whether you’ve been personally affected or simply want to show solidarity, here are a few ways you can make a difference in Warminster and beyond:
1. Start a Conversation
Speak openly about dementia. Share your story. Ask someone about theirs. Every time we talk about dementia without shame or discomfort, we help reduce stigma.
You can use hashtags like #WorldAlzheimersDay and #AskAboutDementia on social media to join the wider conversation.
2. Take Part in a Memory Walk
Organised by Alzheimer’s Society, Memory Walks are taking place across the country, including events not far from Warminster. They’re family-friendly, meaningful, and a chance to walk in memory or support of someone living with dementia.
You can register for your local walk online, or contact our office for information about joining the Home Instead team.
3. Donate or Fundraise
Every pound makes a difference. Fundraising helps charities like Alzheimer’s Society, Dementia UK and Alzheimer’s Support continue their work, running helplines, supporting research, and offering real-life services to people who need them.
If you’re unsure where to start, we can help you set up a fundraiser or point you toward local groups doing great work.
4. Write to Your MP
One of the key goals of this year’s campaign is political change. With a new UK Parliament in place, dementia charities are urging people to ask MPs to make dementia a healthcare priority.
Dementia UK has free resources to help you write to your local representative, or even invite them to meet with families in the community.
Know the Signs, Make a Plan
Early diagnosis can change everything. It gives people time to understand their condition, explore treatments, and make informed decisions about their care. But many families delay seeking help because they’re unsure of what to look for or feel afraid of what a diagnosis might mean.
Some common early symptoms of dementia include:
- Short-term memory issues
- Confusion about time or place
- Struggling with familiar tasks
- Personality or mood changes
- Difficulty finding words or following conversations
If you notice any of these signs in someone you know, it’s worth speaking to a GP. You’re not being dramatic, you’re taking the first step toward clarity and support.
Local Services and Support
Warminster and Gillingham residents don’t have to face dementia alone. Support is available, both locally and nationally.
- Alzheimer’s Society Support Line: 0333 150 3456
- Dementia UK Admiral Nurse Helpline: 0800 888 6678
- Alzheimer’s Support: Practical help including day clubs and home visits
- Talking Point Online Forum: Peer-to-peer support from carers and families
- Dementia Directory: Search for local memory cafés and friendly activity groups
At Home Instead Warminster & Gillingham, we specialise in dementia care that is tailored, respectful, and consistent. Our team is trained in the Home Instead “Dementia Care Programme” a thoughtful approach that prioritises routines, relationships, and dignity.
Looking Ahead: The 2025 World Alzheimer Report
On 21 September, Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI) will release the World Alzheimer Report 2025, focusing this year on rehabilitation and how the right support helps people with dementia live well.
The report, produced in partnership with the University of Exeter and University of Sydney, highlights how rehabilitation isn’t just a hospital concept, it’s what we do every day when we help someone maintain independence, adapt to change, or re-engage with community life.
We’re looking forward to reading the report and sharing relevant insights with our team and clients.
Final Thought: Don’t Look Away
At Home Instead Warminster & Gillingham, we know that awareness alone isn’t enough. Real change happens when conversations lead to action, whether that’s more support at home, clearer public services, or better-informed communities.
This September, we’re asking everyone in our area to join us. Speak up. Show up. Learn more. Whether you share your story, donate to a charity, volunteer your time, or simply check in on a neighbour, you are helping to make dementia impossible to ignore.
Let’s make this month count, together.
Want to talk to us about dementia care in Warminster, Gillingham or the surrounding villages?
Get in touch with our team to find out more about our dementia care services in Warminster and Gillingham.
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