Martin Rix’s Thoughts on Dementia Action Week 2025

Martin Rix’s Thoughts on Dementia Action Week 2025

This week is Dementia Action Week, the annual campaign shining a spotlight on the condition, with a theme this year of the importance of seeking and securing a diagnosis as early as possible.

Many will have seen the charity’s series of encouraging and moving personal stories featured in Metro newspaper — powerful reflections from people who continue to honour and cherish their loved ones, even as they navigate one of the most relentless and challenging conditions imaginable.

One comment that particularly resonated with me came from Simon in Tuesday’s edition: “I didn’t know about dementia...” This is something we frequently hear from the families we support. With nearly one million people now living with dementia in the UK, and it being the UK’s leading cause of death, dementia is an issue that urgently needs greater prominence on our national agenda.

For now, what I’d like to convey to everyone reading this: regardless of how unfamiliar you may be with dementia, you are not alone. Thousands of people across the country are either living with the condition themselves or supporting someone who is — and there is a community ready to help.

It’s crucial to seek support as early as possible. This is not only to access professional advice and guidance, but also to gain much-needed emotional support during what can be an overwhelming time.

Alongside the invaluable work of Alzheimer’s Society, there are many other sources of support close to home — some formal, others informal, and often available at little or no cost. These services, from dementia cafés and Admiral Nurses to day care and respite options, provide not only practical help and advice, but a lifeline when it’s most needed.

So, my overall message is this: please don’t hesitate to reach out. There is no shame in asking for help; you are not a burden, and you do not have to face this alone.