Imagine feeling ill but being told your new symptoms and behaviour were just a natural part of ageing. Imagine having a condition but no treatment, information, or support to help you manage it. Imagine if your doctor knew about your condition but chose not to tell you, as they thought nothing could be done to help.

For many people with dementia, this is the reality. Denied a diagnosis, denied treatment, and denied the chance to plan for the future while still able to do so.

The Alzheimer’s Society and Tracey think this is wrong. We think everyone with dementia has a Right to Know. A Right to Know about their condition in order to tackle it head on. A Right to Know about the information and advice available to them. A right to be fully supported after their diagnosis. This is not a lot to ask, and only what people deserve.

Today is the official launch of the Right to Know campaign and this is an important push to get a diagnosis for every person with dementia. 

To sign up go to : www.alzheimers.org.uk/righttoknow

With your help, we can ensure everyone with dementia receives the certainty of a diagnosis and the right information and support to come to terms with, and manage their condition. 

What happens currently?

• 52% of people with dementia in the UK do not receive a formal dementia diagnosis.  
• The length of time you have to wait to receive a diagnosis varies hugely depending on where you live, from 2 weeks to over 6 months.
• Once diagnosed, many people are not given adequate support to come to terms with their diagnosis and manage their condition. A recent Alzheimer’s Society poll found that 90% of people felt unsupported after their diagnosis.  

Huge steps have been taken by this Government and the last but we still have a long way to go. We must do more to support people with dementia as they receive their diagnosis and immediately afterwards.

Watch the video about Nick and June’s experience here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdMYhMnzF6I