Leaving a Legacy: How Your Will Can Change the Future of Dementia Care & Support
Everything about death and dying is deeply personal. Thinking through what we want and who we want to be involved in that process can be painful, uplifting and complex – all at the same time.
Everything about death and dying is deeply personal.
Thinking through what we want and who we want to be involved in that process can be painful, uplifting and complex – all at the same time. As a reminder of how carefully we need to ponder these issues check out our short film The Power of 'Power of Attorney' | A Dementia Trust Film Project.
But it is not just about Power of Attorney, the legacy we leave behind is also a deeply personal decision. For those who care about improving the lives of people living with dementia and their carers, a gift in a will can be a powerful way to make a lasting impact. Legacy giving helps ensure that charities like the Dementia Trust can continue funding innovative projects that make a difference to the quality of life for people with dementia.
“Dementia is one of the biggest health and social care challenges of our time. Over 900,000 people in the UK are currently living with dementia, and this number is expected to rise to 1.6 million by 2040.”
Why Legacy Giving Matters
Dementia is one of the biggest health and social care challenges of our time. Over 900,000 people in the UK are currently living with dementia, and this number is expected to rise to 1.6 million by 2040. With an ageing population, the need for innovative solutions, support services, and research has never been greater. While public funding plays a role, charitable contributions—especially through legacy giving—provide essential long-term support.
Charities the Dementia Trust has supported over the last decade are now facing increasing challenges due to economic uncertainty, rising demand for services, and limited funding streams.
As a result, vital projects that could revolutionise dementia care are at risk of being lost. Legacy gifts help us sustain these critical initiatives, ensuring that their groundbreaking work continues despite financial pressures.
Supporting groundbreaking initiatives such as Scotland: A Journey of Return and Discovery Scotland: A Journey of Return and Discovery | Dementia Trust | Short Film
A gift in your will to the Dementia Trust directly contributes to projects that make a tangible difference.
These gifts allow us to fund groundbreaking initiatives such as Scotland: A Journey of Return and Discovery Scotland: A Journey of Return and Discovery | Dementia Trust | Short Film, which helps people with dementia reconnect with their past through immersive experiences.
They also support innovation through our Disruption Awards, which we have been running for over a decade, to identify and fund creative solutions to the challenges faced by those living with dementia. However, without sustainable funding, many of these pioneering ideas risk being abandoned.
The Trust has been running the Disruption Awards has awarded nearly £200,000 to more than 18 projects that have supported innovation in dementia care. One such initiative, a design and testing project developed in partnership with Luto, aims to help people with dementia live independently in their own homes Exciting design and testing project to support people living with dementia in their own homes—from Luto and the Dementia Trust .
These crucial projects depend on continued funding, and legacy gifts play a significant role in ensuring their survival and impact.
How Legacy Giving Supports the Dementia Trust’s Mission
The Dementia Trust is run by a team of Trustees who are all volunteers. Our Vision is: A world where people with dementia and their carers thrive, supported by innovative solutions and empowered by our grants and dedicated support to make meaningful change happen.
By leaving a gift in your will, you can:
Help fund innovative projects that improve the quality of life for people with dementia and their carers.
Support pioneering initiatives that promote inclusivity and diverse representation.
Strengthen the Trust’s ability to provide ongoing support to project awardees, ensuring long-term success.
Contribute to the sustainability of the Trust, enabling it to grow and adapt to new challenges in dementia care and support.
The Trust does not employ anyone, and therefore your legacy goes direct to projects that disrupt thinking around dementia care and support.
A Personal Touch: Real Stories of Impact
Many generous supporters have already chosen to leave a legacy to the Dementia Trust, and their contributions have made a significant difference.
For example, thanks to legacy gifts, the Trust has been able to fund programs that help individuals with dementia maintain their independence for longer, provide support to families navigating the challenges of care, and foster research partnerships that drive innovation. Every legacy gift, big or small, contributes to this collective effort.
How to Leave a Legacy Gift
Including the Dementia Trust in your will is easier than you might think. Here are the simple steps to take:
Decide on your gift – You can choose to leave a fixed sum, a percentage of your estate, or a specific asset to the Dementia Trust.
Speak to a solicitor – A professional can help you ensure your wishes are clearly expressed in your will.
Let us know – While not required, informing the Dementia Trust of your decision allows us to thank you and keep you updated on our work.
Many people worry that leaving a gift in their will might reduce what they can leave to their family. However, legacy giving is flexible—you can ensure your loved ones are cared for first while also making a difference to causes you believe in. Additionally, charitable gifts can have tax benefits, potentially reducing inheritance tax on your estate.
Together, we can create a world where people with dementia thrive.
Your Legacy, Their Future
By choosing to leave a gift in your will, you become part of a movement that ensures people with dementia and their carers receive the support they need for years to come. Your generosity today can shape a better future for generations to come.
If you would like to learn more about legacy giving and how your support can make a lasting impact, please visit The Dementia Trust | Making Change Happen for nearly 40 years or contact us directly advisor@dementiatrust.org.
Together, we can create a world where people with dementia thrive.
