Dementia has a devastating impact on the people who develop it, and the families who care for them. It also affects more and more people each year. This is why the UK government has confirmed that improving dementia care is a key priority.

It is also clear that there is a vast amount that can be done to improve and maintain quality of life in dementia. Positive input from health and social care services and carers of people with dementia can make all the difference between living well with dementia and having a poor quality of life.

The National Dementia Conference takes place on 26 October 2010 in London. It will explore the challenges to the delivery of the National Dementia strategy's objectives.  Examples of local areas where transformation is taking place as part of the Government's Big Society agenda will be presented, and policy makers will give presentations and introduce good practice from the field.

Speakers will include Minister for Care Services, Paul Burstow, DH Dementia Champion Sir Ian Carruthers and National Clinical Director for Dementia Alistair Burns.

As the numbers affected with dementia rise with an ageing population, the conference aims to help carers and care providers make the difference for people living with dementia.

More information:

• Follow live updates from the National Dementia Conference (opens new window)
• National Dementia Strategy
• National Dementia Conference (opens new window)