WELCOME: GLOBAL BHP BRAINTRUST
A Message from Andrea Pfeifer, Chair of the Global BHP BrainTrust

Every September, the world celebrates “Alzheimer’s Awareness Month”. It is a moment to recognize the extraordinary efforts of the global Alzheimer’s and dementia community in advancing science and advocacy.

One area, in the post-diagnostic intervention phase, however, remains relatively unknown to the health and care community: dementia rehabilitation. It is a person-centred, collaborative approach that helps people with dementia maintain or rebuild skills ranging from meal preparation to mobility, speech, and self-care. By focusing on what matters most to each individual, it supports independence, strengthens family connections, and eases pressure on the health and social care systems.

Encouragingly, 65% of national dementia plans mention rehabilitation; however, 75% of WHO Member States still have no plan in place. Knowledge and awareness of rehabilitation remain limited, despite clear evidence of its benefits. The latest Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI) report shows that people who receive tailored cognitive rehabilitation experience less disability, stay in their own homes longer, and enjoy a better quality of life than those receiving only standard care.

This is not a luxury; it is a necessity. With dementia rehabilitation, we can help millions of people live more independently, reduce risks like seizures and falls, and ease the burden on carers, who shoulder nearly half of the global cost of dementia care. As the WHO’s Rehabilitation 2030 initiative shows, momentum is building. It is time to ensure rehabilitation becomes an integral part of dementia care worldwide.