World Alzheimer's Month: it will take a society to beat dementia
World Alzheimer’s Month - September 2026
September is World Alzheimer's Month, and this year we are asking every one of our homes, and everyone connected to RDCP Care, to think beyond the walls of the care home. Our residents are still part of their local communities, and we believe our homes should be part of those communities too.
Why this matters
Dementia can be an isolating experience, not just for the person living with it, but for their family too. All too often, a diagnosis leads to a shrinking world, fewer outings, fewer visits, fewer familiar faces. Yet with a little understanding and a little support, people living with dementia can continue to be part of the places and communities they have always known.
That is why this year's theme feels so important to us. It will take a society to beat dementia. Not just care homes, not just families, but shops, cafés, schools, churches, sports clubs and businesses too. Small acts of understanding, from a shop assistant who knows how to help someone who seems confused, to a café that welcomes a familiar face without judgement, can make a world of difference to someone's confidence and independence.
What we are doing this September
World Alzheimer's Day falls on Monday 21 September 2026, and throughout the month, our homes will reach out into their local communities in all sorts of ways. Some will invite people in with coffee mornings, open afternoons, and dementia Q&A sessions for local residents and businesses. Others will take dementia awareness into the community, offering short, informal sessions to local shops, hairdressers, pharmacies and GP surgeries so more people feel confident supporting someone living with dementia.
We are also using September as a chance to ask our residents a simple but powerful question: where would you like to go? For some, that might mean a visit to their old local pub, a trip to a familiar café, or simply a walk through a neighbourhood they know well. Rather than asking whether someone with dementia can do something, we are focusing on what support would make it possible.
Starting conversations that matter
Sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is start a conversation. A simple question to a local café or shop, such as what they would do if a resident came in alone and became confused, can open the door to real understanding. It is often these small, human moments of awareness, rather than anything grand, that make the biggest difference to someone's day-to-day life.
Sharing what we know
Our homes hold a huge amount of knowledge and experience when it comes to dementia, and September is the perfect time to share it. Throughout the month, we will bust common myths, share practical tips for communicating with someone living with dementia, and offer guidance on recognising early signs and knowing where to turn for help and advice.
Follow along with us
Throughout September, we will share a post every day on our blog and across our social media, answering some of the questions we are asked most often about dementia. From the earliest signs to look out for, to how to support a loved one, to how to talk to children about dementia, we hope these posts offer clarity, reassurance and practical guidance to anyone who needs it.
Because dementia does not just affect the person diagnosed. It touches families, friends, neighbours and communities. And it really will take all of us, working together, to build a society where people living with dementia feel understood, included and supported.
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