Dementia Support Line
Information
What do the different badges for dementia mean?
Following some confusion over what different blue flower badges represent, here we tackle some common myths about their meaning, who can wear blue flower badges and why.
What does the blue flower badge represent?
The flower is a forget-me-not, a small blue flower that represents remembrance and is long-associated with dementia.
People with dementia may experience memory loss, among other symptoms. This makes the forget-me-not the perfect flower to represent our cause.
The blue flower pin is a symbol for anyone who wants to raise awareness of dementia and support people affected by the condition.
Alzheimer's Society forget-me-not flower pin badges are available in our shop. 100 per cent of our shop profits go towards helping fight dementia.
Why do people wear a forget-me-not pin badge?
Anyone can wear our blue forget-me-not pin badge to show their support for Alzheimer’s Society. Many organisations have flowers, ribbons and other symbols to represent their charity.
A person might wear a forget-me-not badge because a family member or loved one has dementia, or they want to help raise awareness.
It’s best not to make assumptions about why someone might be wearing the pin.
What is the Forget me not Appeal badge?
In 2021, Alzheimer's Society launched the Forget me not Appeal.
This is an annual initiative that encourages people to wear a forget-me-not flower badge for the month of May to raise awareness and vital funds for people affected by dementia.
In May, we ask everyone to join together and support the Forget me not Appeal to raise awareness and money for everyone living with dementia.
Wearing the Forget me not Appeal badge does not mean the wearer has dementia. Supporters of the Forget me not Appeal wear their badge not only to promote awareness of dementia but also in memory of or in tribute to a loved one affected by the condition.
Donate online to the Forget me not Appeal and receive a badge in the post (while stocks last).
If you have any questions about your donation or Forget me not Appeal badge, please call our Supporter Care line on 0330 333 0804.
Is it true that wearing a forget-me-not pin badge means you have dementia?
No, that is not true.
The forget-me-not badge is for anyone to wear to show their support for people affected dementia.
It is a common misconception that the badges are to help identify people living with dementia in public.
If someone is misinformed, it might be helpful to make them aware of this.
People living with dementia can sometimes face stigma and exploitation, which may put them at risk when out in public. If there’s the misconception that only people with dementia wear this badge, this could increase the risk of making them vulnerable.
If a person with dementia wants a discreet way to let others know about their diagnosis while out and about, we have free helpcards available.
Helpcards are an easy way for people with dementia to get help or assistance when out in the community. Personal information can also be added to them, so that people with dementia can get help in the best way for them, and only from people they feel safe around.
What does the Dementia Friend badge mean?
Dementia Friends is a social movement committed to changing how people see dementia.
A Dementia Friend is somebody that learns about dementia so they can help their community. They may choose to wear the badge so they can show support for the movement, or to help others who may need it.
Many Dementia Friends choose to receive and wear their pin badge.
These pin badges aren’t available to buy. Instead, you have the option to receive a badge once you become a Dementia Friend either by attending an Information Session in your community or by joining online. You can become a Dementia Friend here.
Share your badge
Do you have a badge like one of these? Send us a photo of you wearing it with the hashtag #ForgetMeNotBadge and tell us why you wear yours
Norman Ernest Hunt
saysWhere are Dementia/forget me not badges available to buy?
Alzheimer's Society
saysIf you have lost your Dementia Friends badge, please email your details to [email protected]. The Dementia Friends team will do their best to arrange for a replacement to be sent out to you.
If you would like to order a forget-me-not pin badge, please follow this link: https://shop.alzheimers.org.uk/Tote%20bags/Forget-me-not%20pin%20badge
If you would like to order a forget-me-not brooch, please follow this link: https://shop.alzheimers.org.uk/Tote%20bags/Forget-me-not%20brooch
Dementia Friends pin badges aren’t available to buy. Instead, you have the option to receive a badge once you become a Dementia Friend either by attending an Information Session in your community or by joining online. You can become a Dementia Friend here: https://www.dementiafriends.org.uk/register-digital-friend
We hope this helps!
Angela
saysI applied for my dementia badge and I never did receive it ,so I can't wear it ,my mum died of alzimers/ dementia, she suffered for 11 years
Nuttall
saysI've never received a badge. Was I supposed to when I joined this? I would like to wear one, please tell me how I get one.
Elizabeth
saysI would love to wear the badge I haven't got one
Felicity guy
saysI’m sorry but I lost my dementia friend badge when I was moving where and how can I replace it has I’m a care assistant who works with different clients with dementia
Rob Sadler
saysVery proud as a Champion to have my '2 million' badge. Looking forward to hitting 3 million and hopefully a new badge! :-)
Edward Brownlee
saysI wonder about the intelligence of people today. If someone wears a daffodil badge does it mean they have cancer, or an orange MS wristband does that mean they have MS, how about a poppy, does that mean they are a forces veteran or even a family member.
No, of course not. Wearing a badge is more likely to mean someone supports a cause than that they are a premiere league footballer.
It may surprise you to know, if you weren't already aware, that all these thousands of people running round a town, on match day, wearing badges for Manchester United, are NOT Manchester United players, they only SUPPORT the team .
Wearing badges to show membership of a group is now a rarity.
Take the view that anyone wearing a badge is a supporter of a group, unless they have 'I have' stated on the badge. Like those badges that say 'I am six' .
Anthony J Duke
saysI am a demeter friend. Is there a dementia friends window sticker?
That I can display on my shop window?
Sarah Groom
saysHello, where can I get a new pin from. My original one broke.
Thank you
Nicola
saysI wear my dementia badge with pride and also have it tattooed on my finger
Martin Corrick
saysI am 74 and have had Alzheimer's Disease for about four years. It is now becoming more of a problem, especially when I am out and about. Recently I had to make several train journeys in and out of London, and these were tricky. I got pretty anxious, especially when there were timetable and platform changes plus large crowds of people in a hurry.
In situations like that I would really like to be able to display some sort of sign that I can't be hurried, so please bear with me if I don't know which way to go.
The Alz Soc forget-me-not badge is too small for that purpose. I'd like a large and obvious badge that would become recognised nationally as an indication that its wearer needs a bit more time than most people.
I reckon that such a badge could be very handy for a lot of people with a wide range of health issues, including poor sight and/or hearing, limited mobility and issues such as Alzheimer's.
Unlike the Alzheimer's Society's tiny forget-me-not, my badge would be big, bright and cheery. It would ideally use a phrase like HANG ABOUT, I'M AN OLD CODGER! - but I do realise that not everyone would want to wear that particular label! It's also a bit too long, unfortunately. WHAT'S THE RUSH? Is another phrase that might work.
Whatever the badge says, I think it could be very useful to a lot of people who can't be hurried, not only old dodderers like me. Also, if it has the right kind of ring to it, it might replace a few scowls with smiles!
I suggest that the Alzheimer's Society could convene a meeting of interested parties to discuss how such a scheme could be organised. It would of course - need national publicity and widespread support if is to be effective.
I reckon a recognisable and amusing badge would make a lot of our travelling - and many other situations - a lot less stressful!
Cheers,
Martin Corrick
Susan King
saysI always wear a Dementia Friends badge, particularly in winter as I have one on each coat (one is a 2 million badge as I am a champion). I also work in social care and wear it every day to work. I find people seldom ask about my badge. Sometimes I wonder if it would be better as a question mark.
Marilyn Edwards
saysI am an Alzheimer's Advocate having cared for my Mom with Alzheimer's for about 14yrs...I am dedicated to changing wrong perceptions, sharing experiences, awareness, trauma, loss, and the Aftermath of Alzheimer's for caregivers. I would love to have a pin nod wear it always. I've worn my purple wrist band for years and years. Thank you! If you can send it, e-mail me and I will send you my address.
James Lynch
saysI have recently lost my wife after three years of dementia and two strokes. I already subscribe to your emails but this is the first time I have heard of the dementia badges!!