Discussing dementia and risk-reducing lifestyle changes as part of the NHS Health Check from age 40 helps people understand their risks of developing the condition

There is a perception among the general public that dementia is an inevitable aspect of ageing, but a recent pilot scheme has helped patients understand how to improve their chances of avoiding it. ‘Dementia is widely seen as something you can’t do anything about,’ says Dominic Carter, senior policy officer at the Alzheimer’s Society, a leading UK charity in the field. ‘But we’re learning from research that there are things we can do to reduce the risks of getting dementia in later life.’