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Stoke-on-Trent City Council is proud to support Dementia Action Week 2024
Dementia Action Week (13 – 19 May) is an awareness raising campaign. Each year, Alzheimer's Society work with individuals and organisations across the UK to encourage people to act on dementia where their annual campaign is dedicated to raising awareness of dementia. This year’s theme is “Diagnosis is Vital”.
During Dementia Action Week, health, social care, community and voluntary partners across Stoke-on-Trent aim to highlight dementia care and support by sharing events, resources and support available about the dementia pathway and services.
So, how is normal ageing different from dementia?
People often forget things more and notice some changes in mental abilities as they get older. Though these changes can be frustrating, they are a natural part of ageing. However, Dementia is not a normal part of getting older.
Dementia is a group of symptoms. It’s caused by different diseases that damage the brain. For a health professional to diagnose dementia, a person's symptoms must be significantly impacting on their daily life. This means having difficulties with completing daily tasks about the house, in the community or at work.
In February 2024, 2,910 people aged 65+ were recorded as being diagnosed with dementia in Stoke-on-Trent. Unfortunately, women have a higher risk of developing dementia during their lifetime.
Recognising the signs of dementia and getting a diagnosis is really important to enable those people living with dementia, their families and carers to access the vital support they need.
Councillor Duncan Walker, cabinet member for adult services said: “The city council are proud to stand alongside our partners at the event to showcase the fantastic services on offer for Stoke-on-Trent citizens.
“Early diagnosis and awareness raising is vitally important to support people who may have the onset of Dementia or are experiencing symptoms. We would encourage our local residents and their family members to use the Alzheimer’s Society checklist and speak to a health professional at the earliest opportunity should they have any concerns”.
The Alzheimer’s Society have an online checklist for possible dementia symptoms here; Dementia symptoms checklist | Alzheimer's Society (alzheimers.org.uk)
If you are worried that you, or a loved one, may be experiencing signs of dementia you can use this checklist to help describe your symptoms to a GP or other health professional.
The Potteries Shopping Centre Free Drop-In Event
Dementia Services Showcase, free drop in event, Friday 17th May 10:00-14:00 at The Potteries Shopping Centre (inside the old Next store opposite Starbucks).
At the event, local dementia support services will be taking over the empty unit in The Potteries Shopping Centre to showcase some of the advice and support available to people living with dementia, their families and carers.
Exhibitors on the day will include Alzheimers Society, Alzheimers Research UK, North Staffs Combined Health Care Trust- Memory Clinic, Mental Health Practitioners, Port Vale FC, Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Staffordshire Fire and Rescue, Royal Voluntary Service and Singing for the Brain, Alzheimers Society Dementia Choir and many others.
If you are interested in finding out more about dementia, come along and speak with people who can help.
More information on activities and services available to people with dementia and their families and carers in Stoke-on-Trent, can be found at, Support with Dementia (stoke.gov.uk) and https://stokecommunitydirectory.co.uk/ search for ‘dementia’.
More information about Dementia Action Week can be found at
