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
Tina
saysMy mum has Pca (rare type of dementia)
She is 73 but looks 10 years younger! We have lost count on how many situations we have been in; where people stare when we are assisting her with everyday life wether it is to help her stand,drink or to be fed etc...because she looks fine on the outside l!! Then to be told when parked in a disabled bay “she does not look disabled”.was the last straw.....
We as a family, personally feel if there were a specific badge that dementia patients were to wear to identify that they have this awful disease and was made publicly aware, Perhaps the public would not be so judgemental ...
We appreciate some dementia sufferers do not want to be singled out, but in our situation the current help card system you have in place is not helpful at all. As my mum has not the ability to be able to use them . Where if for example there was a pink forget me not badge to signify that you have the disease at least the public would be aware of what the person had! I know you cannot stop people staring but at least some will understand.........
Emma
saysGlad for all the supporters BUT a badge is needed to alert public that someone who says outrageous comments or personal remarks may well be suffering from dementia ( fronto temporal). A lot of embarrassment would be avoided if people realised that it was a mental health issue. As the dementia sufferer would be with a carer at this stage there is no risk of being taken advantage. A badge that suits men too would be useful ( a penguin?) Something suitably unisex. One glance would suffice to alert people to be understanding and not take offence.
Pauline Lewis
saysIs it possible to send me a replacement little booklet which I received with my badge, I have lost mine . Thanks
Mandy Linsell
saysIt's really good to see that the public in general are so much more aware of dementia and have a better understanding of how it affects individuals being able to recognise the signs and be supportive to someone in need. Dementia can be very frightening for its sufferers as it takes a tighter grip and for someone to be able to offer reassurance and assistance is wonderful.
Roy Samuel Evans
saysIs it possible to obtain a replacement Badge?
Karina Hatherly
saysCan you buy the other Forget Me Not badges. I would like to purchase as i work with Dementia patients in a Care Home.
Sylvia Regan
saysHello I'm a carer and I work with people with Alzheimer's or have just started with the disease and I would love to wear a badge to show that I care.
Alzheimer's Society Blog Team
saysIf 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!
Peter Giles
saysI have just lost my wife of 49 years to Dementia.
I have never had a Dementia Friendly Badge.
I would like to obtain one please...
Can you tell me how can get one Please
Alzheimer's Society Blog Team
saysHello Peter, we're very sorry to hear about the recent loss of your wife. Please know that our Helpline advisers are here for you on 0300 222 11 22, should you need us.
It's great to hear you'd like a Dementia Friends badge. You have the option to receive this badge once you become a Dementia Friend, either by attending an Information Session in your community or by joining online via this link: https://www.dementiafriends.org.uk/register-digital-friend
We hope this helps, Peter.
Gary Lewis
saysHow do I order a badge please
Alzheimer's Society Blog Team
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.
Julie Birch
saysI have lost my badge could I please have a replacement
MARION CARR
saysI WOULD LIKE TO IF POSSIBLE TO ORDER A NEW DEMENTIA FRIENDS BADGE AS I HAVE LOST MINE AND IT WAS REALLY HELPFUL AT WORK AS I WORK ON A MENTAL HEALTH WARD WITH PATIENTS WITH VARYING STAGES OF DEMENTIA.
Mrs Olwen Scholfield
saysI never received a badge please could you send me one. Thank you in advance
Manuela
saysI have no my badge how do I get one?