Dementia Action Week showcases £7.5 million research network as UK faces £42 billion annual care costs
19-25th May 2025
Throughout Dementia Action Week, run by Alzheimer’s Society, researchers from across England shared how their work has been improving the lives of people with dementia and their families and carers.
The week-long initiative comes as more and more people are living longer in the UK and the number of people with dementia is increasing. Alzheimer’s Society estimates that the total cost of dementia in the UK is £42 billion, with sixty-three per cent of these costs shouldered by people with dementia and their families. The cost of dementia in the UK is set to rise to £90 billion a year by 2040 unless action is taken.
Twenty events were held across England to promote better health and care for people with dementia and to showcase the research going on in those regions.
The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) alongside Alzheimer’s Society, invested £7.5 million in creating a network of specialist research fellows across England. These research fellows – called the Dementia Community or DEMCOMM – work on all aspects of care and support for people with dementia and their carers and work within NIHR Applied Research Collaborations (NIHR ARCs) at 15 locations in England, including NIHR ARC Yorkshire and Humber (YH ARC).
Professor Ruth Bartlett, who leads the 60 DEMCOMM researchers, said: “This is a great team of people doing important work looking at all aspects of care for people with dementia, from nutrition to socialising to reducing the risk of falls”.
“People with dementia are just that – people – and there are a number of things they need in order to lead their best lives. Applied research uses the evidence of what works in the real world and puts it into practice, and that’s why this team of researchers can make such a difference.”
Dr Richard Oakley, Associate Director of Research and Innovation at Alzheimer’s Society, said:
“Around one million people are living with dementia in the UK, the biggest health and social care issue of our time. There is so much we can do to improve the care and support provided for people with dementia and their loved ones today, which is why we are proud to be part funders of the DEMCOMM initiative that will play a critical role in doing this.”
The DEMCOMM network focuses on practical research areas including nutrition interventions, social connection programmes, fall prevention strategies, and comprehensive care models that support both patients and caregivers.
The research fellows work to bridge the gap between laboratory discoveries and real-world care improvements, with their findings being implemented directly into community settings across England’s 15 NIHR Applied Research Collaborations.
YH ARC Research Fellows hosted a 3-day series of events in line with Dementia Action Week.
Event 1: Chai & Chat: South Asian Dementia Café. Held in Leeds on 22nd May 2025. This event supported the South Asian Dementia Café, Hamari Yaadain (Our Memories), which met every Thursday and was hosted by Touchstone, a local charitable organisation in Yorkshire.
The café provided a safe and culturally familiar space for South Asian people living with memory issues and their carers. The event was held in the mother tongue, creating a welcoming environment where participants socialised, shared experiences, sought dementia care support, and built friendships.
Event 2: Let’s Talk: 3D Prevention (Diabetes, Depression, & Dementia) for Everyone. Held on 23rd May, this workshop created a space to discuss how health conditions like diabetes and depression impact brain health. Participants engaged in conversation with local dementia researchers to learn about recent findings in dementia prevention and gained practical tips for maintaining a healthy brain. To wrap up, they enjoyed a relaxing Tai Chi session—a great way to refresh both body and mind.
Event 3: Brain Health & Dementia Prevention in the Black African Community. Held on 25th May. This workshop provided participants with a great opportunity to learn what dementia is and what it is not. It offered a chance to discuss how conditions like diabetes, social isolation, loneliness, depression, and high blood pressure affect brain health. Participants joined in conversation with a local dementia researcher to learn about the latest findings in dementia prevention research and picked up useful tips for staying healthy in both body and mind. The session concluded with a fun traditional African dance session—an enjoyable way to boost both body and mind.
