This week we hand over to Dr Shirley Evans to hear her reflections on the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference: Research, Relationships and Renewed Purpose. Over to you Shirley…
Back in July 2026 (12th to 15th), I had the privilege of attending the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) at the Excel Conference Centre in London, one of the largest gatherings of dementia researchers, clinicians, practitioners, policy makers and people with lived experience from around the world. With around 10,000 attendees, the conference provided a unique opportunity to hear about the latest developments in dementia while also sharing the work of the Association for Dementia Studies (ADS) and strengthening national and international collaborations.
Attending any dementia related conference should be much more than an opportunity to keep up to date with research findings. It is a chance to make connections, test new ideas, learn from others and bring back insights that can improve the lives of people living with dementia and those who support them. This year’s AAIC conference was particularly significant because it highlighted how rapidly the field is evolving, not only in relation to diagnosis and treatment but also in understanding what good support and care look like in everyday life.
One of the highlights of the conference was presenting our work on the Royal Victoria Hospital Meeting Centre: Community Support in a Hospital Setting. This innovative project demonstrates how Meeting Centre principles can be adapted within an acute hospital environment to support people living with dementia and their families during periods of hospitalisation. The poster attracted considerable interest and generated many valuable conversations about the potential for hospital-based Meeting Centres to reduce distress, promote wellbeing and support both patients and staff as well as providing placement opportunities.
Alongside this, we presented work from the NIHR-funded Food Glorious Food project, exploring the role of food-related practices within community-based dementia support. The findings highlighted the importance of food as a social connector, a source of identity and belonging, and a means of supporting wellbeing for people living with dementia and their families. It was encouraging to see growing international recognition of the importance of social and psychosocial approaches to dementia care.
A particularly rewarding aspect of AAIC was the opportunity to discuss Meeting Centres with colleagues from across the world. There was significant interest in the Meeting Centre model, including discussions with academics and practitioners from North America who were keen to learn how community-based support can be scaled and adapted in different health and social care systems. These conversations reinforced the growing international profile of Meeting Centres and their potential contribution to helping people live well with dementia.
Beyond the programme itself, AAIC offered many informal opportunities to reconnect with longstanding colleagues and meet new collaborators. Some of the most productive conversations occurred over coffee, while standing beside posters or during chance encounters between sessions. These discussions often spark future research ideas, joint publications and collaborative projects that would never emerge through formal meetings alone. It was very exciting to meet up with friends I had made on the recent Walking the Talk for Dementia event in Santiago de Compostela. Quite a few were from South America and other distant lands, so it made sense for them to attend AAIC as well.
One of the strongest impressions I took away from AAIC 2026 was the growing recognition that dementia care must be considered alongside advances in detection/diagnosis and treatment. While there was much excitement about developments in early diagnosis, biomarkers and disease-modifying treatments, there was also increasing acknowledgement that people continue to need support, connection, meaningful activity and opportunities to remain engaged in their communities. This aligns closely with the ethos of ADS and our focus on strengths-based, relationship-centred approaches to dementia care.
I also attended sessions that highlighted the importance of prevention, risk reduction, social inclusion and support for family carers. These themes resonate strongly with several ongoing ADS projects and will undoubtedly influence future research priorities, funding applications and educational initiatives.
Returning from AAIC, I felt energised, inspired and optimistic. The conference confirmed that dementia research and practice are moving forward at pace, but it also reinforced the importance of ensuring that scientific advances translate into meaningful improvements in the lives of people affected by dementia. Through our work on community support, education and research, ADS continues to contribute to that goal.
AAIC 2026 reminded me that while new treatments may offer hope for the future, compassion, connection, community and support remain as important as ever. It was a privilege to share our work, learn from others and contribute to global efforts to improve the lives of people living with dementia and their families.
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