Rethink Dementia - Dementia Awareness Week Resources

When a friend or relative is diagnosed with dementia it’s natural not to know what to do. But helping someone stay connected and socially active can help them stay well for longer. This year’s Dementia Awareness Week theme, ‘Every step’ aligns with our campaign message, focusing on the importance of friendship, emotional connections and social interactions in lives of people with dementia and their care partners.  

We would greatly appreciate your support in helping to promote the campaign during this important week and helping to spread its message. 

The Rethink Dementia Stakeholder Toolkit includes all the information, a range of assets, stories and key messages available to you for you to support. 

Rethink Dementia Campaign Information

Rethink Dementia, created in collaboration with the National Dementia Lived Experience Panel, was developed in response to our insight which shows that social contact can help alleviate symptoms commonly associated with dementia and help improve overall wellbeing. The campaign targets Scots aged 30-60 to help raise awareness of what they can do when someone known to them has been diagnosed with dementia. Our research identified this audience are more likely to think this campaign is relevant to them as they know someone, or their friends know someone with a diagnosis. However, this campaign is relevant to everyone – younger or older. 

You can view the Rethink Dementia TV ad via YouTube here

Rethink Dementia encourages our audience to focus on the person, not the condition, with the campaign creative being centred around treating people with dementia exactly as they did before the diagnosis – highlighting the simple ways people can help their family and friends who have been diagnosed to stay connected.  

Whilst the main call to action is for people to engage with these key campaign behaviours, the campaign directs people to Rethink Dementia | NHS inform for more information and advice on support. 

How You Can Help

• Access and share our supporting campaign materials via SG Comms Resource Centre - Rethink Dementia

• Share social media assets across your channels using #RethinkDementia 

• Share content from Healthier Scotland’s Facebook social channel using #RethingDementia and tag @healthierscotland 

• Circulate Rethink Dementia Stakeholder Toolkit across your organisation and networks 
• Get in touch with any stories that may help highlight the benefits of social interaction and connection for those living with dementia 

Thank you for your continued support. For more information or to discuss ways to support the campaign, contact SGMarketing@gov.scot or sgdementia@stripecommunications.com