World Alzheimer’s Day 2026: Understanding Alzheimer’s and Supporting Better Dementia Care
21 September marks World Alzheimer’s Day and the official theme for 2026 is “The Earlier You Know, The More You Can Do: A Dementia Diagnosis Matters.”
Today is a global moment to raise awareness, challenge stigma, and recognise the millions of people living with Alzheimer’s disease — including the residents supported every day in care homes across England.
At Jasmyn Care, we are proud to stand alongside care organisations, families, and professionals who work tirelessly to ensure people living with Alzheimer’s receive safe, compassionate and person‑centred care.
This day is more than awareness — it is a reminder of why high‑quality dementia support matters.
Understanding Alzheimer’s in Care Settings
What is Alzheimer's Disease?
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia. It is a progressive physical disease that damages the brain, eventually affecting memory, thinking, communication and the ability to carry out everyday activities. (NHS)
Although Alzheimer’s is strongly associated with memory loss, it can affect people in many different ways. As the disease progresses, a person may experience difficulties with language, decision-making, orientation, behaviour and everyday tasks.
What is the Difference Between Alzheimer's and Dementia
The terms Alzheimer’s and dementia are not interchangeable.
Dementia describes a collection of symptoms caused by diseases that damage the brain.
Alzheimer’s disease is a specific disease and is the most common cause of dementia. Around two out of three people living with dementia in the UK are thought to have Alzheimer’s disease. (Alzheimer's Society)
Some Important UK Facts
Around 1 million people are currently living with dementia in the UK. (Alzheimer's Society)
This figure is projected to reach approximately 1.4 million by 2040.
Approximately 1 in 14 people over 65 has dementia.
This rises to around 1 in 6 people over 80.
Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia.
Dementia affects more women than men.
In 2024, 76,894 people died from Alzheimer's disease and other dementias across the UK, making dementia the leading recorded cause of death that year.
Why Earlier Recognition and Diagnosis Matters
One of the important messages surrounding dementia is that early recognition can make a difference.
Memory problems or changes in behaviour should not automatically be assumed to be a normal part of ageing. Alzheimer's disease is not a normal part of getting older, and some symptoms may have other causes that can be investigated.
An accurate and timely diagnosis can give a person and their family more opportunity to:
Understand the condition
Plan for the future
Discuss care and support needs
Make decisions while the person can participate in them
Access appropriate treatments and support
Help care professionals better understand the person's individual needs
For care organisations, recognising changes in a person's presentation can also be important. Staff who know the person well may notice changes in communication, behaviour, appetite, mobility or general wellbeing that should be appropriately reported and followed up.
Good dementia care starts with seeing the person — not simply the diagnosis.
Jasmyn Care's Commitment to Alzheimer’s Care
At Jasmyn Care, supporting people living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia is an important part of the work we do.
We are committed to providing care organisations with compassionate and appropriately trained healthcare professionals who understand the importance of person-centred dementia care.
1. Dementia-informed, compassionate staff
Our healthcare professionals receive additional Tier 1 and Tier 2 training in Dementia Care and End of Life Care, helping them develop a deeper understanding of dementia alongside their mandatory training.
This includes understanding the importance of communication, person-centred support, changes associated with dementia and providing compassionate care.
2. Continuity and familiarity
Familiarity can be particularly important for people living with dementia. Where possible, we aim to provide consistency in staffing so that individuals can become familiar with the people supporting them.
A familiar face, a familiar routine and a calm approach can help create a more reassuring care environment.
3. Supporting meaningful daily routines
Dementia care is not simply about completing care tasks. Our staff support individuals to maintain independence, comfort, dignity and a sense of purpose through appropriate routines, conversations and meaningful activities.
This could be something as simple as helping someone choose their clothes, listening to their favourite music, taking part in a familiar household task or spending time talking about their past interests.
4. Recognising changes in wellbeing
People living with dementia may sometimes find it difficult to communicate pain, discomfort or changes in how they are feeling.
Our staff are trained to observe changes in presentation and wellbeing and to report concerns appropriately to the relevant care team.
Changes in behaviour or presentation should not simply be assumed to be "part of dementia". Factors such as infection, delirium, medication and other health conditions can sometimes contribute to a sudden deterioration.
5. Working alongside care home teams
Agency staff should complement, rather than replace, the work of a care organisation's permanent team.
At Jasmyn Care, we aim to work collaboratively with managers, nurses and permanent care staff so that temporary and permanent workers understand the individual's needs, routines and care expectations.
Why This Matters
Good Alzheimer’s care is not just about tasks — it is about connection, dignity and understanding.
Every interaction, every routine, every moment of reassurance contributes to a resident’s quality of life. On World Alzheimer’s Day, we honour the individuals living with Alzheimer’s and the professionals who support them.
A calm conversation, a familiar routine, a moment of reassurance or taking the time to understand what someone is trying to communicate can make a meaningful difference to their experience of care.
Supporting Care Homes Across England
Jasmyn Care provides temporary and permanent staffing solutions to care organisations experiencing staffing shortages, recruitment challenges or increased demand.
We proudly support care organisations across:
Essex
Kent
Wiltshire
West Midlands
London and surrounding areas
Our goal is to help organisations strengthen their teams when they experience staff shortages, recruitment challenges or increased demand. If you would like to discuss your requirements, contact us today:
0203 432 1942
A Message for World Alzheimer’s Day
On World Alzheimer’s Day, we recognise the people living with Alzheimer’s, their families and the thousands of care professionals supporting them every day.
We reaffirm our commitment to:
Raising awareness
Challenging stigma
Supporting care organisations
Empowering care professionals
Promoting person-centred care
Protecting dignity and independence
Improving the lived experience of people living with dementia
Because behind every diagnosis is a person, a life, a history and a story.
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