Table of Contents:
Quote of the day
Memory Air
Interesting stories this week
10 alarming statistics about dementia care in the UK
Responding to YOU!
Be gentle with yourself, you’re doing the best you can.
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Interesting Stories This Week:
Poor sleep and dementia risk: what the evidence suggests
Demi Moore on Bruce Willis’ dementia journey
Eye tests could spot dementia decades earlier
Reading on tablets in bed may affect brain health
Why asking about dementia really matters
10 alarming statistics about dementia care in the UK
The Alzheimer’s Society recently spoke to 3,500 carers across the UK to better understand the realities of living with and caring for someone with dementia. What they found paints a worrying picture of gaps in diagnosis, support, and respect for both people with dementia and those who care for them.
These figures aren’t just numbers — they reflect everyday experiences for thousands of families.
Gaps in support for people with dementia
1 in 5 people affected by dementia (20%) have received no health care, social care, or financial support at all.
This means many people are managing a life-changing condition without any formal help.Even among those who did receive support, only 29% said it was easy to access.
For most families, getting help involves long delays, confusing processes, or repeated requests.30% of people living with dementia do not have an official diagnosis, despite experiencing symptoms.
Without a diagnosis, access to services, benefits, and care planning becomes significantly harder.
Why diagnosis can be so difficult
The report highlights several barriers that people face when trying to get a diagnosis:
Long waiting times were reported by 52% of respondents.
41% had to see multiple healthcare professionals before receiving answers, adding stress and uncertainty at an already difficult time.
Stigma also plays a major role. 40% of people said they felt ashamed or stigmatised, which may prevent them from seeking help or speaking openly about symptoms.
The findings also shine a light on the emotional and practical impact on carers:
38% said they do not feel respected by social care professionals, despite being central to day-to-day care.
70% said caring has negatively impacted their lives, affecting work, finances, relationships, or physical health.
30% reported a decline in their mental health, highlighting the emotional strain carers carry.
25% said they feel socially isolated, often due to lack of time, understanding, or support.
Alarmingly, 15% of carers said they receive no support at all.
Why these numbers matter
These statistics show that dementia care is not just a medical issue — it’s a social, emotional, and systemic one. Delayed diagnosis, difficult access to support, stigma, and lack of recognition for carers all contribute to unnecessary suffering.
Improving dementia care means:
Making diagnosis quicker and clearer
Reducing stigma so people feel able to ask for help
Recognising carers as partners in care, not an afterthought
Behind every percentage is a person trying to cope, often with far less support than they need.
A Problem Shared is a Problem Halved
Every week, we share an honest story from a caregiver — the things most people are too afraid to say out loud.
This Week’s Caregiver Story-
Some days I honestly don’t know how to make sense of it all. Caring for my partner at home is overwhelming, even with some professional help during the week. The nights are especially hard, and as I get older myself, everything feels more tiring and confusing.
I’ll be honest — there are times I almost avoid reading your newsletter because it brings up difficult feelings. But I do always come back to it in the end. Thank you for continuing to share it.
Harvey says:
Thank you for being so honest. What you’ve shared will resonate with many people, even if they haven’t found the words to say it themselves.
Caring for someone you love while also managing your own age, health, and exhaustion is an enormous responsibility. The fact that you’re still showing up each day, even when it feels confusing, heavy, or relentless, says a great deal about your strength, even if it doesn’t feel that way to you.
It’s also completely understandable to feel conflicted about reading information like this. Sometimes newsletters, articles, or advice can feel confronting because they remind us of how much we’re carrying. Stepping back, dreading it, or needing time before engaging is not a failure… it’s a very human response to long-term stress.
What matters is that you’re not facing this alone. Even part-time support can make a difference, but it doesn’t erase the emotional weight, especially during the quieter, lonelier hours like nighttime.
If there are opportunities to ask for additional help, whether practical, emotional, or simply someone to talk to, you deserve that support just as much as the person you care for.
Please know that this space exists not to overwhelm you, but to remind you that your experience matters, your feelings are valid, and you are seen.
Thank you for trusting us enough to share this, and for continuing, even on the hard days.
Harvey
If something’s been on your heart lately, let us know. We read every word. Your voice could offer comfort to someone else navigating the same journey.
At All About Alzheimer's we're dementia professionals but we're not medical doctors or lawyers. The information we provide is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical or legal advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for medical diagnoses, treatment or any health related concerns and consult with a lawyer on any legal issue.
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