Admiral Nurse on the telephone

Admiral Nurse Dementia Helpline

Call our Helpline for free on 0800 888 6678, email helpline@dementiauk.org or fill in this form to speak to a dementia specialist Admiral Nurse

We’re currently experiencing a high number of calls. If you’re unable to get through straight away, please leave a message with your name, phone number and suitable times for us to call you back and one of our nurses will get back to you as soon as possible (ideally within 48 hours).

If you need information, advice and support with any aspect of dementia, please don’t hesitate to get in touch – we’re here to support you.

The specialist dementia nurses on our free, confidential Helpline are here for you when you need help. Whatever you’re worried about, they have the time to listen and the knowledge to solve problems.

They can help you understand more about dementia and feel more in control, giving you the tools and the confidence to manage your future with dementia together – one step at a time.

However, if you or the person living with dementia is in immediate danger, please call 999 straight away.

Our opening hours

  • Monday to Friday 9am-9pm
  • Saturday and Sunday 9am-5pm
  • Open bank holidays (9am-5pm), except 25th December

What happens when I call?

Our specialist dementia nurses, known as Admiral Nurses, will give you free, expert advice, support and understanding to help you care for your loved one and cope with the daily challenges of living with dementia.

You can take your time. There’s no time limit and you can call back whenever you need us.

If suitable, you’ll receive tailored information after your call which will be sent out by post or email.

At times, our Helpline gets very busy and you might not be able to get through straight away. If that happens, please leave a message with your name, phone number and suitable times for us to call you back and one of our nurses will get back to you as soon as possible (ideally within 48 hours).

By engaging with the Helpline service you are agreeing to our terms and conditions and privacy policy.

Frequently asked questions

Unsure about something? Read answers to our most popular questions below.

Who will answer the phone?

Our Helpline is the only one in the UK that is staffed by specialist dementia nurses, known as Admiral Nurses. They are all qualified nurses with a professional specialism in dementia. Their extensive clinical knowledge and experience means they can help families manage a range of complex situations. They have helped tens of thousands of people affected by dementia to have the best life possible for as long as possible.

Can I contact the Helpline about any aspect of dementia?

Yes, you can. Our nurses can answer any concerns or questions about the condition, and also provide vital emotional support for you. Whatever your worry, however large or small, please contact us now – don’t leave it until it becomes a more pressing issue.

Can I contact the Helpline if I have dementia or suspect I do?

Yes, people who have dementia themselves can call the Helpline for advice and support. If you suspect you have the condition, we can give you advice on how to get a diagnosis. You may find this information helpful too.

Can I call from overseas?

We are happy to speak to family who live abroad, as long as the person with dementia lives in the UK. We know that if you care for someone from a distance, you may experience a different set of challenges and our nurses can help to guide you through these. You may find this information helpful too.

Please note that call charges will vary from abroad.

Can I contact the Helpline if I am a professional?

Yes – Admiral Nurses can guide and empower other health and social care professionals to support people living with dementia and their families. However, please note they cannot make contact directly with that person or family (unless they contact the Helpline themselves) or take third party referrals from statutory or third sector organisations.

How should I prepare for my call?

There is no need to prepare anything before calling our Helpline – many people phone when they need to speak to someone straight away. However, it is helpful to have a pen and paper handy so you can note down any information the nurse provides.

How else can I speak to an Admiral Nurse?

As well as the Helpline, we offer phone or video call appointments in our virtual clinics. These are available Monday to Friday between 9am and 4pm. They last 45 minutes and are ideal if you have several questions you want to ask or if you want to arrange a call at a specific time to suit you. Book an appointment here.

You can also ask your GP or social worker if there is a community Admiral Nurse service in your area.

Topics we get asked about the most

In addition to our Helpline, we have dedicated advice pages written by our specialist dementia nurses. All of these can be found here, but some of the most popular are:

Admiral Nurse on the Helpline

Will you help us answer every call? 

No one should have to face dementia alone. Will you play your part by donating today and help us answer every call?

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Book a virtual appointment with an Admiral Nurse

Talk to an Admiral Nurse at a time that works for you by video or telephone call.

Appointments are free and confidential and available between Monday and Friday, from 9am to 4pm.

We are currently experiencing high levels of demand, with appointments booked one to two weeks in advance

Book an appointment
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Other ways to get in touch

You can also contact a specialist dementia nurse by emailing us at helpline@dementiauk.org. Please try and be as succinct as possible so we can easily understand your situation and be able to give you useful support and advice. It would also be useful if you include your phone number in case we need to clarify anything. You can also send the team a message through our online form

Get in touch via this form

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