News
September is... World Alzheimer's Month
Posted 03/09/24
Started in 2011, World Alzheimer鈥檚 Month takes place every September and has a different key message or theme each year, which can be used to raise awareness, educate or challenge the public鈥檚 misconceptions about dementia.
Alzheimer鈥檚 Disease International (ADI) is a not-for-profit, international federation of Alzheimer and dementia associations from around the world. The organization is in official relations with the World Health Organization (WHO). ADI advocates for people living with Alzheimer鈥檚 disease and all other types of dementia.听
The 2024 World Alzheimer鈥檚 Month campaign will centre on raising global awareness focussing on attitudes toward dementia and seeks to redress stigma and discrimination which still exists around the condition, while highlighting the positive steps being undertaken by organisations and governments globally to develop a more dementia friendly society.
More information can be found on the
Support World Alzheimer鈥檚 Day!
World Alzheimer's Day takes place during World Alzheimer鈥檚 Month and is on 21 September every year. In the build up to, and on the day of, many Alzheimer and dementia associations around the world host memory walks, fundraisers, awareness raising activities and campaigns to bring attention towards those in their community that are affected by Alzheimer鈥檚 disease or other types of dementia.
How to take part in World Alzheimer's Day
- Be aware of the sensitivity of the subject: Alzheimer鈥檚 disease can be a sensitive topic for many people, whether they are experiencing it themselves or are supporting someone close to them who is. It is critical to approach the subject with caution and to have support available for those who may be impacted by Alzheimer鈥檚.
- Focus on the support available:听Support is an important aspect of dementia, and it can be difficult to access appropriate physical, mental, and financial assistance. The Alzheimer鈥檚 Society provides a list of support resources divided into four categories: Daily living, Help with care, Staying independent, Legal and financial.
- Raise money:听Participating in events and fundraising is a great way to get involved with Alzheimer鈥檚 Awareness Day. Consider asking your team for suggestions on World Alzheimer鈥檚 Day activities, as they may already be thinking of ways to help the cause.
- Use Social Media: Every year, there is a hashtag for the day, which is: #WorldAlzheimersDay. Share resources, events, research, and more on social media to help support and participate in the day.
- Learn about dementia:听Learning more about the disease is crucial because it provides awareness of warning signs, how it affects people, and the best way to support those experiencing it.
Alzheimer鈥檚听Support in the Workplace
Many people at work may be caregivers for someone who has dementia, which can be a task with emotional, physical, and mental impacts. It is critical to provide appropriate support for carers in the workplace so that they can maintain a sense of work-life balance, and feel supported by their employer in managing their personal circumstances too. Many people with Alzheimer鈥檚 continue to work, especially in the early stages of the disease, so having flexible work policies in place to support their good days, bad days, and healthcare appointments is essential.
Scams and the Vulnerable
Anyone can be a victim of a scam, however, people living with dementia are at an especially high risk of becoming victims of fraud and financial abuse and criminals will use this to their advantage. That's why Trading Standards have an unwavering commitment to combatting fraud.
People living with a cognitive impairment such as dementia, may be particularly vulnerable because they may be less able to distinguish a scam from legitimate contact. Criminals also appear to be targeting people with memory problems specifically because they know they may not remember being scammed before.
Various measures can be put in place to help prevent criminals from making contact, such as the use of call blockers and the mail redirection service. Managing finances to reduce the risk of scams, such as implementing a Lasting Power of Attorney.
The National Trading Standards Scam Team has worked with partners to provide a new guide to help manage finances and avoid scam for people at risk and how to support them.
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How to Avoid Scams
We asked for advice on what to do when you get a call out of the blue claiming to be your bank and asking you to transfer money. They said:
- Genuine organisations like banks will never call asking you to transfer money, share personal financial information, or hand over control of your computer.
- If a phone call doesn鈥檛 feel right or you are being pressured, hang up and take time to ensure the call is genuine.
- Don鈥檛 call back immediately. Wait a few minutes as fraudsters use sophisticated technology enabling them to stay on the same phoneline they just called you on. If you can, call back from a different phone number, perhaps a mobile if you were called on a landline, so that a criminal cannot keep the line open.
- Contact your bank directly, use the contact details from the back of your bank card or call 159.
159 is a hotline number that can put you through to your bank quickly and securely. It works in the same way as 101 for the police and was set up by an organisation called .
Reporting a Scam
Reporting a scam can help to track down and stop scammers. This prevents others being scammed. For information on how to report scams visit our partner organisation,
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