This week, Yeovil Town Football Club are backing Alzheimer’s Society’s Support The Supporters campaign, to encourage fans to support their loved ones by looking out for common signs of dementia and take the first steps in seeking a diagnosis. The campaign is being backed by clubs and organisations across the football pyramid, including The Football Association (FA), Premier League and League Managers Association, to help create a future where football is unforgettable.

Dementia is the UK’s biggest killer, with 1 in 3 people born today going on to develop it in their lifetime. But thousands are currently living with undiagnosed dementia, with too many people who still think dementia is just a sign of normal ageing, are unsure of the symptoms, and too afraid to visit their GP.

If fans have noticed any changes in themselves or their loved ones during the recent festive period, they can show their support by visiting alzheimers.org.uk/sports to use Alzheimer’s Society’s symptoms checklist and get further information on receiving a diagnosis. 

An early and accurate diagnosis unlocks access to treatment, care and support, allowing people to manage the condition and their lives, whilst planning for the future. An Alzheimer’s Society survey revealed that 91% of people affected by dementia saw clear benefits to getting a diagnosis, with many wishing they’d received one earlier.

Football is coming together at an especially busy time for Alzheimer’s Society, as people often spot changes in loved ones after seeing them for the first time in a while over the festive period. In fact, calls to the Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Support Line were up 19% in January 2023 compared to the 2022 monthly average, whilst registrations to the charity’s Dementia Support Forum were 29% higher than average.

Alzheimer’s Society has been The FA’s official charity partner since 2021 and has already made a tangible impact – raising over £740,000, and thousands more fans, players and staff now knowing where to go to access vital dementia support. This season, the partnership will also raise vital funds towards research that will help transform the future of dementia diagnosis, speeding up how quickly and how early we are able to diagnose dementia, changing the game for fans and players in years to come.

We are proud to be part of the Support The Supporters campaign, with the backing of clubs and organisations across the game, to help fans better understand dementia symptoms and take the first step in seeking an all-important diagnosis.