Dementia Action Week: Supporting People to Stay in Work (UK)

Dementia Action Week: Supporting People to Stay in Work (UK)

A practical guide for vocational rehabilitation (VR)professionals supporting employees living with dementia and working carers.

Dementia Action Week (18–24 May) highlights a reality VR professionals already understand: dementia is not only a later-life condition. It affects working-age adults, carers, and employers and VR has a crucial role in sustaining meaningful work, dignity, and independence for as long as possible.

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Dementia in the working-age population: whythis week matters

Although dementia is more common in older adults, over 70,000 people in the UK live with young-onset dementia (symptoms before age 65). Many continue to work or want to remain employed, and many more people balance employment with caring responsibilities.

The Alzheimer’s Society emphasises that a diagnosis does not automatically mean leaving work, many people can continue in their roles with the right support and adjustments. Dementia UK also notes that early symptoms may first be noticed at work (for example difficulties with memory, concentration, multitasking or decision-making), which makes workplace awareness essential.

For VR practitioners, this creates a dual focus:

o   Supporting employees living with dementia

o    Supporting working carers, who may face fluctuating demands and emotional strain

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Legal protections and employer responsibilities

People living with dementia are protected under the Equality Act 2010, which requires employers to make reasonable adjustments to remove barriers and prevent discrimination. Dementia UK reinforces that dementia is likely to meet the legal definition of disability, meaning employers may need to adapt roles, hours, or environments to support continued employment (with guidance also available from Acas).

Examples of reasonable adjustments include:

o   Flexible or reduced hours

o    Quiet workspaces or reduced distractions

o    Clear written instructions and visual prompts

o    Task simplification or role adaptation

o    Remote or hybrid working (where the role allows)

o    Extended phased returns

o    Support for carers, including flexible working and emergency leave

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The VR practitioner’s role: early, proactive, person-centred

VR professionals are uniquely positioned to bridge clinical understanding, workplace realities, and legal frameworks. Guidance from the Vocational Rehabilitation Association and Alzheimer’s Society highlights several key areas where VR can make a difference:

1) Early job retention and role adaptation

Many people with early-stage dementia can continue working for months or years with the right support. VR practitioners can help identify functional strengths, redesign tasks, and collaborate with employers to maintain safe, meaningful participation. This aligns with cognitive rehabilitation approaches used in NHS services and supported by Alzheimer’s Society resources, where structured, goal-based strategies can help maintain autonomy and work-related skills.

2) Supporting managers to have confident, compassionate conversations

Acas stresses that early signs of dementia may be subtle and that managers often lack confidence in addressing concerns sensitively. VR practitioners can coach managers to:

o   Focus on functional impact rather than diagnosis

o    Build trust and reduce stigma

o    Explore adjustments collaboratively

o    Review support regularly as symptoms change

3) Carer support and sustainable employment

Dementia UK highlights that many employees are working carers, juggling employment with significant responsibilities. VR can help by:

o   Facilitating flexible working arrangements

o    Supporting carers to communicate needs

o    Helping employers understand legal rights and carer protections

4) Planning for future transitions

While many people continue working after diagnosis, dementia is progressive. VR professionals can support dignified transitions, from role redesign to volunteering or retirement, so individuals retain identity, purpose, and connection.

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Meaningful work, inclusion, and long-term wellbeing

Work can provide structure, identity, social connection, and financial security. Research suggests many people living with dementia want to keep contributing and retain valued roles, but may face stigma, misunderstanding, and premature exclusion from work.

Dementia Action Week is a reminder that sustainable employment is possible when the right supports are in place:

o   Dementia is a workplace issue, not just a health issue.

o    VR professionals are central to enabling sustainable employment.

o    With the right adjustments, many people can remain in meaningful work for longer.

o    Carers need recognition and flexibility to stay well and stay in work.

Next step: If you’re supporting an employee with dementia (or a working carer),focus on what helps them function well at work today, put adjustments in place early, and agree a review point so support can evolve as needs change.

References (UK)

·        Alzheimer’s Society – Work and dementia young-onset dementia support: https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/

·        Dementia UK: https://www.dementiauk.org/

·        Acas – Supporting staff with disabilities and health conditions: https://www.acas.org.uk/

·        Equality Act 2010 (UK legislation): https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/contents

·        NHS – Dementia overview: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dementia/

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