Dementia helplines
Dementia UK: Admiral Nurse Dementia Helpline
Specialist dementia nurses, called Admiral Nurses, give free advice and emotional support to families and people living with dementia. Dementia UK says it is the only UK helpline staffed by specialist dementia nurses.
- Phone: 0800 888 6678 (free)
- Email: helpline@dementiauk.org
- Hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 9pm. Saturday, Sunday and bank holidays 9am to 5pm (closed 25 December)
- Virtual clinics: 45-minute appointments with an Admiral Nurse can be booked for Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm
Alzheimer’s Society: Dementia Support Line
Advice and support for anyone affected by any type of dementia.
- Phone: 0333 150 3456 (charged at local rate)
- Welsh language: 03300 947 400
- Relay UK: 18001 0333 150 3456
- Hours: Monday to Wednesday 9am to 8pm. Thursday and Friday 9am to 5pm. Saturday and Sunday 10am to 4pm
- Other languages: call the main number and ask for an interpreter
Alzheimer’s Society also runs the Dementia Support Forum, an online community where people with dementia and carers share experiences and tips.
Older people and carers
Age UK Advice Line
Free, confidential advice for older people, families and carers, including on benefits, care and money.
- Phone: 0800 678 1602 (free)
- Hours: 8am to 7pm, 365 days a year
Carers UK Helpline
Information and advice for unpaid carers, including benefits, carer’s assessments, work and rights, and challenging decisions.
- Phone: 0808 808 7777
- Email: helpline@carersuk.org
- Hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm
Carers UK suggests email for more complex questions.
Younger people with dementia
Young Dementia Network
An online community for people with young-onset dementia, their families and professionals, hosted by Dementia UK. It offers peer support, webinars, a newsletter and resources.
- Email: youngdementianetwork@dementiauk.org
See young-onset dementia for more.
Scotland
Alzheimer Scotland
- Freephone Dementia Helpline: 0808 808 3000, open 24 hours
- Dementia Advisors: 0300 373 5774, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
- Email: advice@alzscot.org
Age Scotland
- Helpline: 0800 12 44 222 (free). Check the Age Scotland website for opening hours.
Wales
- Alzheimer’s Society Welsh language support line: 03300 947 400
- Dementia UK Admiral Nurse Dementia Helpline: 0800 888 6678
Age Cymru
- Advice line: 0300 303 44 98
- Hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm
Northern Ireland
Dementia NI
A membership organisation that supports and empowers people living with dementia in Northern Ireland. It offers peer support, empowerment groups and campaigning.
- Phone: 028 9693 1555
- Email: info@dementiani.org
Age NI
- Advice line: 0808 808 7575 (free)
- Hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
Quick reference
| Organisation | Number | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Dementia UK Admiral Nurses | 0800 888 6678 | Specialist nursing advice, complex situations, behaviour changes |
| Alzheimer’s Society | 0333 150 3456 | Information and support on any aspect of dementia |
| Age UK | 0800 678 1602 | Benefits, care and money advice for older people |
| Carers UK | 0808 808 7777 | Carers’ rights, benefits and assessments |
| Alzheimer Scotland | 0808 808 3000 | 24-hour dementia helpline in Scotland |
| Samaritans | 116 123 | Emotional support at any time |
Local support
Local services vary, but may include:
- memory cafés and dementia support groups
- carers’ groups, often run by local carers’ centres
- day centres and activity groups
- cognitive stimulation therapy groups, often through the memory service
- dementia advisers or support workers, sometimes linked to the memory service or local charities
Good places to ask:
- the memory service that made the diagnosis
- your GP surgery
- your local council’s adult social services, which can also arrange a needs assessment and a free carer’s assessment. Use GOV.UK to find your local council
- the helplines on this page, which can help you find out what is available
Taking part in research
Join Dementia Research is a UK service that matches volunteers with dementia research studies. It is run by the NIHR with Alzheimer’s Society, Alzheimer’s Research UK and Alzheimer Scotland.
Support for your own mental health
Caring or living with dementia can affect your mood, sleep and anxiety levels. Talk to your GP if you are struggling. See carers’ wellbeing for more on looking after yourself, and caring for someone for practical help.