Dementia support
People with dementia can have happy and fulfilling lives – they may just need support to achieve this.
While DPUK doesn't directly support people with dementia, there are lots of UK charities that offer free advice, information and support to people affected by dementia.
Details of several dementia support charities are listed here:
Alzheimer Scotland
Alzheimer Scotland is the leading dementia organisation in Scotland. They campaign for the rights of people with dementia and their families and provide an extensive range of innovative and personalised support services.
Alzheimer's Society
Alzheimer's Society is a charity that works to improve the quality of life of people affected by dementia in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Alzheimer's Society staff and volunteers provide both local information and over 2,000 services across England, Wales and Northern Ireland to people affected by dementia in their communities.
Age UK
Age UK supports any older person who needs it, including people with all forms of dementia. It offers support services like befriending, cleaning and shopping, as well as legal assistance with things like benefits.
Although not everyone with dementia is old, age is a risk factor for dementia, meaning most people with dementia are over the age of 65.
Carers UK
It’s not just people diagnosed with dementia who are affected by it, so Carers UK is a dedicated service whose mission is 'making life better for carers'. It offers a range of services including practical help and advice with things like finances and careers, as well as respite and emotional support, and an online forum for peer support.
Dementia Matters
Dementia Matters is a charity that provides specialist care, support and advice to people with dementia and other neurological disorders such as acquired brain injury, stroke, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease. This organisation is based in Newcastle upon Tyne and serves the whole of the North East of England. The services it provides range from free telephone support to 24-hour packages of care, plus a specialist day centre.
Dementia UK
Dementia UK provides Admiral Nurses – specialist dementia nurses who give expert, practical and emotional care and support for family carers, as well as the person with dementia. Admiral Nurses provide families with an understanding of dementia and give them the tools and skills to deal with challenges effectively. They also provide psychological support to help family carers to carry on caring for their family member. They can also provide referrals to other appropriate services and liaison with other professionals to provide holistic support when it's most needed.
Huntington's Disease Association
Huntington's Disease Association is a comprehensive organisation for people affected by Huntington's disease, including Juvenile Huntington's. It has a specialist advisory service where expert advisers provide emotional and practical support both over the phone and in people's homes. It also works tirelessly to advocate for people with Huntington's disease to improve the services available to them. Huntington's disease is a condition that can cause dementia.
The Lewy Body Society
The Lewy Body Society is dedicated to providing advice and support directly to people with Lewy body dementia. It also funds research to improve the diagnosis, treatment and care of LBD, and its website is a great source of information about the condition.
MIND
MIND provides advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. It campaigns to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding. Its local Minds support over 250,000 people across England and Wales. Services include supported housing, crisis helplines, drop-in centres, employment and training schemes, counselling, and befriending. Many people affected by dementia experience mental health problems like anxiety and depression.
Motor Neurone Disease Association
The Motor Neurone Disease Association is the only national charity in England, Wales and Northern Ireland focused on MND care, research and campaigning. It is a membership organisation with nearly 8,000 members forming a powerful national and local network that provides information and support alongside fighting for improved services. People with MND are susceptible to developing frontotemporal dementia.
Parkinson's UK
Parkinson's UK provides expert support for people with Parkinson's disease, many of whom go on to develop dementia. Its services include a helpline, groups, and direct advice and support from specialists.
Rare Dementia Support
Rare Dementia Support is an organisation focusing on the less common types of dementia including posterior cortical atrophy, Lewy body dementias, frontotemporal dementia, primary progressive aphasia, and young-onset Alzheimer's disease. It provides an inclusive community as well as specialised advice and support.
Stroke Association
Stroke Association is committed to rebuilding people’s lives after stroke by offering expert support, information and advice. It also funds crucial research to help improve the recovery outcome from stroke. Vascular dementia is underpinned by mini-strokes, and Stroke Association has lots of information about the relationship between stroke and dementia.
Young Dementia UK
Young Dementia UK is a charity specialising in helping people who were diagnosed with dementia below the age of 65, which is called young-onset dementia. It also has a community of people with young-onset dementia providing peer support to one another. Young Dementia UK merged with Dementia UK at the end of 2020 to allow both charities to have a stronger impact. They now both operate under the name Dementia UK.