• Families across the country are at breaking point as they try to care for loved ones with dementia, according to new research 

• Dementia should be declared a health emergency 

• Home Instead today launches new dementia YouTube channel “Home Truths” dedicated to helping families 

 Thousands of families across the UK are struggling to cope emotionally and financially with the burden of caring for a loved one with dementia. 

And shockingly, increasing numbers are having to give up work (37%) and either downsize or sell their homes (30%) to look after family members with the condition. 

Crucially the research also shows a better understanding of dementia would greatly improve the lives of families impacted. 

These are just some of the disturbing new findings from research commissioned by home care business Home Instead as they launch a new YouTube channel dedicated to raising awareness of the condition and helping families impacted. 

The channel will support, educate and inform those struggling to look after loved ones with the disease. Recent figures show almost 1 million people in the UK have dementia. 

Dementia is a condition that can be incredibly challenging, not only for those diagnosed but also for their families, who often find themselves becoming primary caregivers with little to no formal training. The new YouTube channel aims to be a lifeline for those struggling, providing practical, accessible information, all in one place.

The channel will serve as a vital resource, offering a wide array of videos covering topics such as understanding dementia, managing symptoms, and improving the quality of life for those affected. 

Viewers will find expert advice, step-by-step guides, and stories from other caregivers who’ve faced similar challenges. Whether it’s learning about the condition more broadly or understanding the emotional aspects of the journey, families will know they are not alone.

Ruth Brown, COO of Home Instead, emphasises the critical need for this type of support: “Our YouTube channel represents a new chapter in Home Instead’s mission: to offer not only professional in-home care but also to offer education and empowerment to family carers, helping them understand more about dementia and navigate their way to better care solutions. 

“A diagnosis of dementia is devastating for any individual, but the wider impact on family carers can also be horrendous. Our research paints a fairly desperate picture, with lives and careers put on hold for many who step in to care for their loved ones.

“What these families need is practical help and this channel is a resource designed to do exactly that. We need to help these carers shift away from trying to do everything themselves. To find better and more workable solutions.” 

By addressing both practical care tips and financial guidance, Home Instead aims to ease the burden on families and make sure they are supported on every front.

Steve Thompson, Former England Rugby Player and Advocate for Dementia Awareness, said: "Dementia is a condition that touches the lives of so many people across the UK, whether they are living with it themselves or supporting a loved one who is. Raising awareness and understanding of dementia is absolutely vital—not just to help those directly affected but to foster a more compassionate society that knows how to respond and support. Home Instead’s new YouTube channel is a brilliant step forward, providing accessible information and practical advice to help families navigate the challenges of dementia with dignity and confidence. This kind of resource can make a real difference, empowering families and carers with the knowledge they need to provide the best care and support possible."

Kayleigh Obleby, social media Influencer and Dementia Advocate, said: “ When my mum was diagnosed with vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s, I quickly realized how little I really knew about these conditions and how overwhelming it can feel to find the right information and support. Home Instead’s new YouTube channel is such an important resource for families like mine. It’s about more than just education—it’s about helping people feel less alone, more prepared, and better equipped to navigate the challenges of dementia. This channel has the potential to be a lifeline for so many, offering practical advice and much-needed reassurance to those caring for loved ones."

Rita Clark, Partner and Caregiver to her partner Nicky, said: "Caring for Nicky as her dementia has progressed has been a journey filled with both love and immense challenges. Despite our backgrounds in social care, nothing fully prepares you for the emotional reality of supporting a loved one with this condition. 

“Thousands of families around the UK are struggling daily to support loved ones with dementia. They urgently need clear, compassionate guidance and to feel seen and supported. Help is out there and you are not alone in navigating this path."

*The new dementia research from Home Instead’s New Ageing Index also shows many family carers believe the crisis should be declared a health emergency (66%) and the Government must urgently fund more research (80%). 

Over three quarters (76%) of respondents are demanding a national screening programme to improve early diagnosis. 

When it comes to treating people with the condition, care homes are seen as a last resort by nearly two thirds (63%) of respondents. And 64% say the home is underutilised as a centre for dementia care.  

Significant numbers see dementia as a bigger health issue than cancer (39%) and heart disease (45%). 

The survey’s findings around the prevalence of dementia are also alarming. Nearly a third (31%) of those polled have a family member with dementia. This rises to nearly half (51%) for multigenerational family carers more specifically. Similar numbers (38%) worry a family member has undiagnosed dementia.