Our Mission: We are dedicated to improving the quality of life of people
affected by dementia through support services, education and advocacy.
Dementia Bermuda exists to support people living with dementia and the families who care for them — and to address critical gaps in dementia care across Bermuda.
An estimated 3,600 people are living with dementia on the island, and this number will continue to rise alongside our rapidly ageing population. As of 2026, 25% of the population is over the age of 65, placing increasing pressure on families, health services and long-term care.
Dementia is a progressive, terminal condition caused by diseases of the brain. While memory loss is often the first sign, dementia gradually affects thinking, communication, behaviour and a person’s ability to manage everyday life. Over time, individuals become increasingly reliant on others for support — a process that unfolds differently for everyone, but ultimately changes life for the person affected and for those who care for them.
The Challenge in Bermuda
In Bermuda, 80% of dementia care is provided by family members, often with limited guidance or formal support. Many families cope on their own for as long as possible, reaching out only when in crisis.
At the same time, dementia care is poorly supported within existing systems. Community-based dementia services — such as in-home clinical support, caregiver education and therapeutic programmes — have historically been limited or, in most cases, unavailable. Long-term care homes are costly, have long waiting lists and often struggle to provide dementia-specific trained staff.
The strain is felt across the system. Bermuda regularly reports blocked medical beds, where people who are medically fit to leave hospital remain, because safe, appropriate care options are not available in the community. Dementia is estimated to cost Bermuda’s economy approximately $94.5 million each year, with much of this impact carried quietly by families and communities.
For many, the challenge is compounded by the lack of a clear, coordinated pathway through dementia care. There is no single point of guidance to help people understand what support is available, when to seek it, or where to turn as needs change — leaving families to navigate a complex system on their own.
There is no single solution — but evidence consistently shows that community-based dementia care is both effective and cost-efficient, reducing crises while improving quality of life.
Our Role
Dementia Bermuda provides free, community-based dementia care and support for people living with dementia and their loved ones. The right support, at the right time, helps people with dementia maintain their independence and quality of life for as long as possible, while giving family members the skills and confidence to navigate their role.
Our work includes:
- In-home clinical dementia support, tailored to individual needs
- Therapeutic and social programmes for people living with dementia
- Education and support for family caregivers
- Advocacy for better dementia care and system change
Together, these services help bridge the gap between diagnosis and crisis — supporting families before care needs become unmanageable.
Our Journey
Founded in 2012 as Action on Alzheimer’s & Dementia, the organisation emerged from the lived experience of families affected by dementia and has since evolved into Bermuda’s leading provider of community-based dementia care.
As dementia has become an increasingly urgent health and social care challenge in Bermuda, Dementia Bermuda has continued to evolve in response — strengthening leadership and staffing, expanding services and establishing a clearer, unified identity.
In May 2025, Dementia Bermuda completed its merger with Northstar Dementia, bringing together clinical expertise and community-based programmes under one organisation. This milestone laid the foundations for a more coordinated, scalable model of community-based dementia care — one designed to be built out over time in response to growing and unmet need.
