Dementia information for councillors and elected representatives

As a Councillor, you play a crucial role in improving the lives of people living with dementia. Our Local Systems Influencing team is here to help you to make sure your residents have the best access to care and support.

1 in 3 people born today will develop dementia during their lifetime.

The cost of dementia in the UK is estimated to be £42 billion in 2024, and will rise to £90 billion by 2024. Most of this financial cost (63%) is borne by people living with dementia and their families.  

The Local Systems Influencing team can support you to find out how dementia affects your local residents and assist with providing practical recommendations.  

We're here to help

Our team is here to provide you with tailored information and resources for your local area. Contact your Local Systems Influencing Officer for:

• Bespoke advice and resources to equip your Council develop a local strategy and action plan for your area.
• Best practice examples and suggestions for involving people with dementia in the co-production of strategies and service design.
• Local data which is specific to your area, highlighting the impact of dementia and how best to target local resources.
• Support for elected representatives regarding calls for scrutiny calls and motions on dementia.

We are also happy to come and deliver presentations at Health and Wellbeing Board meetings on the latest research and policies.  

Councillor Briefing

As a councillor you have a crucial role in improving the lives of people living with dementia.

Our Councillor briefing gives an overview of what dementia is and what we want to see from local systems and services. The briefing also states how we can support you to ask questions of your local system and respond to questions from residents.

Join our Councillor Network!

Our Councillor Network is a fantastic way to learn more about dementia, how it affects people and what can create positive change for Councils across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

• Stay up-to-date with policy documents and research that evidences the impact of dementia and recommendations to make a positive difference.
• Learn about the challenges faced from diagnosis to end of life and the actions that can help.
• Find out about great examples of services and innovations across the three nations.  
• Increase your knowledge of Integrated Care Systems and how you can help shape positive outcomes for your residents. 
• Receive invitations on our webinars featuring the latest evidence and reports. 

See below for details of our upcoming events and webinars.  

Upcoming events 

Past events

• Councillor Network Webinar Series: March 2024
  • View the presentation slides.
• Councillor Network Webinar Series: November 2023
  • View the presentation slides.
• Councillor Network Webinar Series: July 2023
  Our webinar covered dementia myth-busting, the dementia journey and how best to talk with a person living with dementia. 
  • View the presentation slides.

Contacting your Local Influencing Officer 

Our Local Influencing Officers are happy to work with you, provide you with resources, reports and information on dementia for residents in your area. Contact us at [email protected].