SIR - This week is Dementia Action Week, an occasion for us all to reflect on steps we can take to help change the conversation about dementia in our country.

Despite there being more than 850,000 people living with dementia in the UK, as a nation, we are remarkably reluctant to think or talk about it. Anchor Hanover’s research shows that nearly half of the UK (47per cent) have never discussed dementia with loved ones. In fact, we’d rather talk about divorces, breaks-up and our weight.

This concerning trend has been brought into sharp relief by Covid-19, with recent NHS data showing a decline in the number of dementia diagnoses since the pandemic began.

Dementia has been a taboo for far too long. This week, it’s time to break the silence. It’s encouraging to see that more people are now realising the importance of talking about and planning for later life. Discussing dementia may feel embarrassing and uncomfortable for some, but it doesn’t have to be.

Our Reframing Dementia guide aims to encourage honest conversations amongst loved ones, so that for anyone who does develop dementia, there’s a plan in place to ensure they can still live their life to the full.

Visit anchorhanover.org.uk/dementia

Jane Ashcroft, Chief Executive of Anchor Hanover