King's College London

Dementia is a leading cause of death in the UK and has been since 2012. Despite this, public understanding is still low, and resources to combat the condition are limited. Recent announcements to cut dementia targets reveal questions of what future policies could look like for dementia. Shifts in the 2025/26 NHS Priorities remove mentions of specific dementia priorities, and previously established goals of increasing diagnosis rates, improving integrated care, and centring lived experience have been omitted.

However, the new NHS priorities still closely intersect with key needs for those with dementia and their carers. Shorter wait times, a core part of the new NHS plan, could help people be diagnosed faster and receive comprehensive care sooner – though achieving this is a huge challenge for policymakers. Earlier diagnosis allows for more efficient support and creation of proper care plans, which a reported 72% of those with long-term conditions rely upon.

Despite the criticism that removing dementia-specific targets minimises the importance of the condition, some have suggested that streamlined targets present a window of opportunity for change. We reflect on advances in research and practice which, paired with intentional and inclusive policies, could help to move the needle closer to improving dementia outcomes in the UK:

• Calls for a National Dementia Strategy – Healthcare practitioners, dementia charities and dementia researchers have called for a concrete and comprehensive strategy which ensures fair approaches and resource allocation in dementia care, as noted in the Alzheimer's Society response to NHS dementia diagnosis target cuts. While Scotland has an established Dementia Strategy, no standard policy exists for England. England's current Major Conditions Strategy includes dementia, but without a full focus on the disease, it's harder to ensure fair funding and support.
• Addressing inequalities – Care and health outcomes for dementia vary greatly throughout the UK. Research has shown that regional inequalities and a postcode lottery result in diagnosis rates that “vary significantly from place to place”. Tackling these inequalities requires understanding the upstream issues which lead to increased prevalence of dementia, developing interventions to address structural determinants of health, and empowering individuals in their care.
• Person-centred approaches and dementia-friendly communities – Dementia-friendly practices involve taking a person-centred approach, with plenty of flexibility. Clear and transparent communication also helps to ensure those with dementia can remain involved in their community.
• Lived-experience involvement – Involving people with dementia in policy creation and implementation improves quality of life and increases the ability to deliver person-centred care. Empowering practices also help in the determination of more realistic and relevant goals.
• Therapeutic drug development – In recent years there has been substantial progress in the development of therapeutic drugs such as Lecanemab and Donanemab to manage the symptoms, and slow the progression, of dementia. While neither have been approved and made available within the NHS, they show promise of improving longevity and quality of life.
• Impacts on families and carers – Dementia carers undertake massive responsibilities, with significant impacts on their own health and wellbeing. Social care and a well-rounded support system are essential in improving dementia outcomes. Goals from the UK Alzheimer's Society focus on increased training for health and social care systems to ensure proper support can be provided for patients and carers.
• Support for those living alone – Proper training for healthcare staff and social carers includes finding ways to create personalised care plans and support for those living alone. The health and wellbeing of these individuals should be addressed within care plans at the earliest point possible. Without policies that focus on this group, they risk being left out.

Capitalising on these windows of opportunity requires strategies to bridge the gap between evidence and policymaking. For example, the Policy Institute at King's College London held a Policy Lab workshop, in collaboration with the EMPOWER Dementia Network, in March 2025. The Lab brought together diverse stakeholders – including policymakers, researchers, healthcare practitioners, people with dementia and carers of those with dementia – to find specific drivers of inequalities in dementia care and to develop targeted approaches to address the worst inequalities.

Other strategies to mobilise evidence into policy and practice may draw upon technology or funding for research. The recently announced £6 million from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and the National Institute for Health and Care Research for “novel tools and technologies” to help people living with dementia is a strong step in the right direction.

With dementia affecting so many, and a growing aging population, finding ways to address the disease is more important than ever.

This month's Dementia Action Week is therefore vital in increasing awareness and innovating change for communities across the UK.