Making a difference to those affected by dementia

There are currently an estimated 982,000 people living with dementia in the UK and this is projected to rise to 1.4 million in 2040. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia and one in two of us will be affected by it in our lifetime.

Why we’re working together

Due to the nature of this illness, people with dementia are estimated to spend on average 22 hours a day in their home, making them more vulnerable to the overconsumption of energy. Furthermore, a new study states that people living in poverty are more likely to develop dementia compared to those of a higher socio-economic status regardless of genetic risk.

Homes that are cold due to fuel poverty exacerbate health issues and can worsen diseases, such as dementia, as well as contribute to excess winter deaths.

How we’re working together

We’ve provided £1.5m of VCMA funding to Alzheimer’s Society to support their Dementia Advisors, who offer advice and assistance in person and over the phone. This marks a new approach for Alzheimer’s Society, and it took 15 months of discussions to prepare the project to ensure it properly meets the specific needs of this group of customers.

Community Dementia Advisors (CDAs) assist families navigating the complexities of dementia, including those caring for a loved one and those living with the condition. They are trained to assess people’s living situations during their first face-to-face visit. This partnership reaches individuals affected by dementia across all our network, including those impacted by energy insecurity, carbon monoxide (CO) risks, and the cost-of-living crisis.

The CDAs have been upskilled to provide awareness about CO, the PSR, and energy efficiency advice, empowering individuals to feel more informed and in control of their decisions. The advice is delivered face-to-face, in group settings and over the telephone, whichever suits the individual. Alzheimer’s Society also share our messages through their newsletter and various social media platforms to reach as many people as possible.

Project impact and learning

Since the launch in July 2024, this project has helped to change lives and has given people living with dementia valuable information.

One of the obstacles we faced was the supply of CO alarms, as Alzheimer’s Society do not have storage or actual hubs where people could collect them. We’re hoping we can overcome this by utilising a third party who will deliver these to eligible customers.

Due to the success of this project, we will now be working collaboratively with SGN and Wales & West Utilities in the next financial year.