A few days ago, on the 21st of September, we marked World Alzheimer's Day. For us at LUSU, this is personal. Sue's father lived with dementia before he died, and my mother-in-law has been living with Alzheimer's for several years. 

When someone is diagnosed, the impact reaches far beyond that individual. Partners, children, relatives, roles change. But the person is still there. 

One thing that inspires us is how familiar experiences can create moments of reconnection. We see this in initiatives like Dementia Disco, where a song brings movement, a smile, a shared moment. Through our Active Care pilot in Cheshire and West Yorkshire care homes, we use simple, adapted activities to invite response. Sometimes it's as small as putting a racket in someone's hand. They may not recall the word tennis, but the body remembers movement. That small moment matters. It's about creating the opportunity, not perfect performance. 

Everyday communication can also shift. Keeping questions simple, giving space to find words, introducing yourself rather than testing memory. Visual prompts can help too. Photos, such as scampi and chips, a cheese and salad sandwich, or soup, help people choose without word pressure. 

What sits at the core for us is this: See the person, create the opportunity, keep the connection.