About Alzheimer's Society

The Alzheimer's Society is the leading care and research charity for people with dementia and their carers. It was founded in 1979 as the Alzheimer's Disease Society.

The Society has more than 23,000 members and operates through a partnership between over 250 branches and support groups and the national organisation in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The Society brings together carers, family members, health and social care professionals, researchers, scientists and politicians through shared concern for people with dementia and those who care for them.

The Alzheimer's Society has a unique knowledge and understanding of dementia and its impact on families:

• It provides clear, comprehensive and accurate information on all forms of dementia, on caring, legal and financial matters, social and health services and benefits



• It provides a network of carers groups, carers' contacts, befriending projects and telephone helplines



• It produces booklets, reports, videos, audiotapes and a monthly newsletter



• It runs courses and conferences and produces high quality training material for professionals and care service providers



• It delivers quality day care and home care through its local branches



• It supports families in financial need



• It promotes respite care, holidays and other breaks for carers



• It develops policy, raises public awareness and seeks to educate politicians, policy makers and planners



• It campaigns for the needs and interests of people with dementia and their carers to be recognised in improved health and social care



• It funds research into dementia through its Quality Research in Dementia programme, involving people with dementia and their carers in setting research priorities in the areas of cause, cure and care



• It co-operates with and gives grants to other charities providing complementary services to people with dementia and their families and works in partnership with health authorities and social services



• As a member of Alzheimer Europe and Alzheimer's Disease International it contributes to worldwide efforts to tackle the international problem of dementia, and as one of the leading organisations it supports the development of carers organisations in other countries