Charity urges early diagnosis in Wales during Dementia Action Week

ALMOST half of adults in Wales are unaware that problems with vision can be a common symptom of dementia, according to new research released by Alzheimer’s Society Cymru.

The figures come as Dementia Action Week (May 19–24) begins, with the charity aiming to raise awareness of the condition and encourage earlier diagnosis. An estimated 50,000 people are currently living with dementia in Wales — but nearly half of them do not have a formal diagnosis.

The new data reveals that 50 per cent of Welsh adults did not recognise changes in vision as a symptom of dementia. One in ten people surveyed could not identify a single common symptom.

Vision-related symptoms can include difficulty judging distances, trouble recognising objects, and misinterpreting patterns or reflections. Larger print may also become harder to read.

Other commonly overlooked signs include changes in mood or communication difficulties. Across the UK, only 61 per cent of adults recognised problems with communication as a symptom, and 64 per cent identified mood changes.

Rachel Nelson, Country Manager for Alzheimer’s Society Cymru, said: “At Alzheimer’s Society, we see too many people delaying seeking a diagnosis because they’re scared or unsure what it will mean.

“A diagnosis is not the end. It’s the beginning of getting the right support, making informed choices and living well.

“That’s why this Dementia Action Week, we’re encouraging everyone to learn more about the symptoms of dementia and to seek help if they notice changes in themselves or someone close to them.”

Alzheimer’s Society Cymru is promoting a free online symptom checklist to help people better understand the warning signs and take action.

Corinne Mills, Interim CEO of Alzheimer’s Society, added: “More than a third of people with dementia don’t have a diagnosis, meaning they’re missing out on the vital care, support, and treatment they need.

“Our research shows that 97 per cent of people affected by dementia saw a benefit in getting a diagnosis.”

The six most common symptoms of dementia include:

• Memory loss – especially of recent events
• Difficulty organising thoughts – trouble making decisions or solving problems
• Problems with communication – struggling to find the right words or follow conversations
• Problems with vision – difficulty judging distances or seeing edges of objects
• Confusion about time or place – losing track of the day or forgetting where they are
• Changes in mood or personality – becoming unusually anxious, irritable, or withdrawn

The charity emphasises that dementia is not a normal part of ageing, and early diagnosis allows access to treatments, care options, and the ability to plan ahead — including appointing a power of attorney and managing finances.

To check symptoms or get support, visit alzheimers.org.uk/checklist or call the Dementia Support Line on 0333 150 3456. Welsh language support is available on 03300 947 400.

Photo caption: Supporting early diagnosis: Alzheimer’s Society Cymru urges people to check symptoms and seek help during Dementia Action Week (Pic: Alzheimer’s Society).

THE WELSH AMBULANCE SERVICE will hold its next bi-monthly Board meeting on Thursday 29 May 2025, and members of the public are invited to attend virtually via Microsoft Teams.

A moving contribution will come from Corinne and Laurence Cope, the parents of nine-year-old Dylan Cope, who tragically died of sepsis in December 2022. They will speak about their experience contacting NHS 111 Wales and raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of sepsis.

Senior leaders at the Trust will also present updates on a new ambulance performance framework, due to be introduced in July. The revised approach will move away from traditional response time targets and focus instead on patient outcomes. There will also be discussion on the evolution of the Trust’s clinical model to improve patient safety and preserve ambulance capacity for the most urgent cases.

The meeting will include a live Q&A session, offering members of the public the opportunity to pose questions directly to Board members.

Colin Dennis, Chair of the Welsh Ambulance Service, said: “Our Board meetings are an important part of how we operate openly and transparently, and I encourage anyone with an interest in our work to join us virtually.

“They’re a chance to stay informed about the progress we’re making and the challenges we face as we continue to evolve ambulance services for people in Wales, as well as an opportunity to put questions to our decision-makers.”

The meeting begins at 9:30am, and the link to join will be available 10 minutes before the start time. Questions for the Board can be submitted in advance by emailing [email protected] no later than Wednesday 28 May 2025.

The meeting agenda will be published on the Welsh Ambulance Service website in the days leading up to the event.

THE INNOVATIVE Arts Boost programme is returning in 2025 to support children and young people across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire who are receiving help from the Specialist Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (S-CAMHS).

Launched in 2022 by Hywel Dda University Health Board (UHB), Arts Boost was developed in response to a sharp rise in the number of young people seeking mental health support. Now in its fourth year, the award-winning initiative continues to use the arts to reduce emotional distress and promote better mental health.

The programme is delivered in partnership with Span Arts (Pembrokeshire), People Speak Up (Carmarthenshire), and Small World Theatre (Ceredigion). Together, they provide a variety of creative sessions for 12- to 18-year-olds known to S-CAMHS and experiencing mild to moderate mental health challenges.

Through a flexible model called Creative Freestyling, participants can choose from a wide range of expressive art forms, including animation, aerial performance, journaling, clay modelling, painting, drawing, and DJ’ing.

The programme has already received national recognition. In October 2023, Arts Boost was named runner-up in the Commissioning for Patient Experience category at the Patient Experience Network National Awards, held at the University of Birmingham. These prestigious awards are the only UK accolades dedicated to recognising best practice in patient experience across health and social care.

Katie O’Shea, Psychological Therapies Lead Specialist at S-CAMHS, said at the time:
“We are thrilled that this innovative project has been awarded for excellence in care for patient experience. Our success is down to the exceptional collaboration with our arts in health partners and the skill of the commissioned artists in creating safe, nurturing spaces for our young people.”

Angela Lodwick, Assistant Director of Mental Health and Learning Disabilities at Hywel Dda UHB, said: “It is wonderful to see Arts Boost return for a fourth year. Over the past three years, we’ve seen how creative engagement helps improve young people’s wellbeing, reduce their distress, and build life-long coping skills.”

The programme is open to anyone aged 12–18 currently under the care of S-CAMHS in the Hywel Dda area. Families are encouraged to speak to their Primary Mental Health Clinician for more details or contact Katie O’Shea, Lead for Psychological Therapies at S-CAMHS, on 01267 674450.

Arts Boost is underpinned by a growing body of research that highlights the positive impact of the arts on wellbeing, self-confidence, self-esteem, and emotional expression. Hywel Dda UHB continues to contribute its findings from Arts Boost to the national Arts and Minds programme, funded by the Baring Foundation and the Arts Council of Wales.