Every three minutes, someone in the UK develops dementia. Behind every diagnosis is an individual, a family and often a wider network of friends, carers and communities learning how best to provide support.
September is World Alzheimer’s Month, with World Alzheimer’s Day taking place on 21st September each year. It is an important opportunity to increase understanding of dementia, challenge misconceptions and highlight the support available to people affected by it.
Around one million people in the UK are currently living with dementia, and that number is expected to rise significantly over the coming years.
These figures show why dementia awareness cannot be limited to one month of the year.
For the Blue Lamp Trust, World Alzheimer’s Month is also an opportunity to highlight the importance of creating communities where people living with dementia can feel safe, understood and supported in their everyday lives.
Understanding dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
The terms dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are sometimes used interchangeably, but they do not mean the same thing.
Dementia is not one single disease. It describes a group of symptoms caused by an ongoing decline in brain function. These can affect memory, communication, thinking, judgement, mood and a person’s ability to carry out everyday activities.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia in the UK.
It is a progressive condition, meaning symptoms usually develop gradually and become more significant over time.
Importantly, dementia is not a normal part of ageing.
Although age is one of the biggest risk factors, dementia can affect younger people too.
Dementia is also about far more than memory loss.
A person may experience difficulties with concentration, communication, planning, understanding their surroundings or completing tasks that were previously familiar. Changes in confidence, mood and behaviour can also form part of somebody’s experience.
Every person is different, which is why compassionate, person-centred support matters so much.
The impact extends far beyond a diagnosis.
Dementia can affect almost every area of everyday life.
Something that once felt routine, such as managing household tasks, using technology, answering the door or dealing with an unexpected caller, may become more difficult or confusing.
The impact can also be significant for families, friends and carers.
Supporting someone with dementia can bring emotional and practical challenges, particularly as their needs change over time.
That is why clear information, practical support and strong community connections are so important.
No single organisation can meet every need of somebody living with dementia.
People may need healthcare, social care, practical support, home safety advice, community activities, emotional support and simply a clearer understanding of where to turn when circumstances change.
When organisations work together, it becomes easier for people to find the right help at the right time.
Working together through the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Dementia Alliance.
Earlier this year, during Dementia Action Week, the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Dementia Alliance was launched to strengthen dementia support across our region.
The Alliance brings together people with lived experience, carers, community organisations and local partners from across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
Its purpose is to improve collaboration, share knowledge and good practice, strengthen local connections and make dementia support easier to access and understand.
This includes:
- Sharing information and good practice
- Improving awareness of local support
- Helping organisations work more closely together
- Making it easier for people affected by dementia to understand what help is available
- Supporting communities to become more dementia aware
For somebody navigating dementia for the first time, simply understanding what help exists can be overwhelming.
A more joined-up approach can help reduce confusion and make it easier for individuals, families and carers to access appropriate support.
The Blue Lamp Trust is proud to be part of the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Dementia Alliance and to stand alongside other organisations working to create stronger, more dementia-aware communities.
What does safety at home look like for somebody living with dementia?
For many people living with dementia, being able to remain safely and confidently in familiar surroundings can be incredibly important.
Home can provide comfort, familiarity and routine.
However, as somebody’s needs change, families and carers may begin to think differently about safety and security.
They may have concerns about whether doors and windows are secure, whether appropriate smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are installed, whether trusted carers or relatives can gain access when needed, or whether somebody feels confident dealing with an unexpected visitor at the door.
These may seem like small considerations individually, but practical changes can help reduce risk and provide valuable reassurance.
That is where the Blue Lamp Trust can help.
How the Blue Lamp Trust supports people living with dementia.
Through our Safe Home service, the Blue Lamp Trust provides free home safety and security visits for eligible older and vulnerable residents throughout Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
People living with dementia are among those who may benefit from the service.
During a visit, one of our trained, police-vetted Safety Technicians carries out a home security and fire safety assessment and provides practical advice based on the individual and their property.
Where appropriate, we can also install safety and security equipment to help make the home safer and more secure.
For families and carers, a Safe Home visit can also provide valuable reassurance and an opportunity to discuss practical concerns about somebody they support.
Most importantly, our approach is not one-size-fits-all.
We are proud that our staff have completed Dementia Awareness Training, helping us support clients with patience, understanding and care. This training helps us recognise that every person’s needs are different, and that compassionate, person-centred support can make a meaningful difference.
For someone living with dementia, a home safety visit may require additional time, reassurance or a different approach to communication.
Our training helps our team adapt their support to the individual, while also recognising the important role family members, carers and professionals may play in supporting that person.
It is about treating every client with dignity, patience and respect while providing practical help that can make their home feel safer.
Staying safer online matters too.
Safety does not stop at the front door.
Banking, shopping, appointments, communication and many everyday services now take place online.
At the same time, scams and fraud continue to become increasingly sophisticated.
Our Safe Online service provides free online safety advice in Hampshire, helping eligible older and vulnerable residents understand online risks and feel more confident when using technology and digital services.
Our team can provide practical guidance around areas such as recognising scams, protecting personal information, improving privacy and security settings and understanding how to report fraud.
For somebody who feels uncertain or overwhelmed by technology, patient and accessible support can make the online world feel less daunting.
It can also provide reassurance for family members and carers who may be concerned about a loved one becoming vulnerable to scams or online crime.
Dementia awareness can make everyday experiences better.
World Alzheimer’s Month is an important opportunity to talk about dementia, but awareness only becomes meaningful when it changes the way we support people.
Being dementia aware might mean allowing somebody a little more time.
It might mean communicating more clearly, avoiding assumptions or recognising that somebody’s confidence and needs may change from one day to another.
Small changes can help everyday experiences feel safer, calmer and more supportive.
For organisations, dementia awareness also means considering whether services are accessible, compassionate and connected to the wider support available in the community.
And for friends, relatives and carers, sometimes it simply means knowing that support exists and that you do not have to find every answer alone.
Could we help you or somebody you support?
If you, a family member or somebody you support could benefit from practical help to improve safety and security at home, find out more about our Safe Home service and make a referral through the Blue Lamp Trust website.
You can also find out more about our Safe Online service for support with online safety, scams and digital confidence in Hampshire.
To find out more about the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Dementia Alliance, or to get involved, contact the Alliance through Age Concern Hampshire.
For further dementia information, advice and support, visit the Alzheimer’s Society website.
Together, greater awareness, practical support and stronger community connections can help people living with dementia feel safer, understood and supported.
