Muslim Support | The Other Side Of De

Support for Muslims Living With Dementia in the UK

Dementia affects every community, but many Muslim families face particular challenges: language barriers, stigma, cultural expectations around caring, and difficulties accessing faith-sensitive services.

This guide brings together organisations, community groups and resources that offer culturally aware, faith-sensitive, and language-appropriate support for Muslims across the UK.

You are not alone. Support exists — sometimes you simply need to know where to look.

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Muslim-Specific Dementia Support

Muslim Mind Collaborative (MMC)

A network of Muslim clinicians, therapists and community leaders who support mental health and ageing in Muslim communities.

They offer:

culturally sensitive dementia guidance
talks and webinars
family advice
signposting to local support

Often partnered with NHS mental health teams and mosques.

Muslim Council of Britain – Health & Ageing Initiatives

Provides guidance for mosques and Muslim families on supporting older adults with dementia.

Includes:

awareness campaigns
training for imams
partnerships with Age UK and Alzheimer’s Society
discussions on faith, ageing and care

Many mosques follow their recommendations when supporting families.

Dementia-Friendly Mosque Projects

Mosques in cities such as Birmingham, Bradford, Leicester, Manchester and London are now adapting to be more supportive of dementia.

They offer:

dementia-aware sermons
volunteer befriending
social groups for elders
family support sessions
physical adjustments for accessibility

Ask your local mosque whether they participate — many do.

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South Asian & Ethnic Minority Dementia Services

(Most UK Muslim dementia support is rooted in South Asian community services.)

Alzheimer’s Society – South Asian Dementia Services

Specialist support for Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Indian and other South Asian Muslim families.

They provide:

dementia advisors who understand cultural and religious expectations
translated leaflets (Urdu, Bengali, Gujarati, Punjabi, Hindi)
carer support groups
community outreach

Search: “Alzheimer’s Society South Asian dementia support” for your area.

Dementia UK – Admiral Nurses for Multicultural Families

Specialist nurses who help families navigate:

faith-sensitive decisions
modesty and personal care
Ramadan, prayer routines, and religious needs
complex family roles and expectations

They offer phone, video or in-person support depending on location.

South Asian Health Foundation (SAHF)

Works with NHS memory services, GPs and mosques to improve understanding of dementia in Muslim communities.

They produce:

educational videos
translated materials
community dementia workshops

Meri Yaadain Dementia Team (Bradford, national model)

A pioneering service specialising in Pakistani Muslim families.

Offers bilingual dementia support workers and culturally aware guidance.

Provides home visits, carer groups and mosque-based education.

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Local Council & NHS Muslim-Focused Programmes

Many councils offer culturally aware dementia services in areas with large Muslim populations.

Examples include:

Birmingham Dementia Friendly Communities (South Asian projects)
Bradford Muslim Dementia Outreach Team
Manchester Ethnic Minority Dementia Service
Leicester Ageing Together – South Asian dementia support
Tower Hamlets & Newham Bengali dementia support workers

Ask Adult Social Care or your local Memory Clinic for:

“South Asian / Muslim dementia support workers”

They will know exactly what you mean.

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Faith-Sensitive Carer Support

UK Muslim Carers Network

An informal but active network of Muslim carers supporting parents and relatives with dementia.

Covers:

loneliness
navigating religious obligations
guilt and community stigma
balancing caring with work and family
grief after the person dies

Online groups and phone support available.

Age UK Muslim Elders Groups

Many Age UK branches run culturally-tailored groups for older Muslims, including dementia awareness sessions, companionship and carer support.

Check your local Age UK branch for availability.

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Faith-Based Comfort and Identity Support

Mindsong – “Sounds of the Soul” Playlist for Muslim Patients

A playlist of Qur’anic recitations and nasheeds designed to:

soothe anxiety
reconnect memories
provide spiritual comfort
help retain identity

Especially powerful for late-stage dementia when faith memories remain strong.

Translated Dementia Information

Available in Urdu, Bengali, Punjabi, Gujarati, Arabic and Hindi from:

Alzheimer’s Society
Dementia UK
NHS
South Asian Health Foundation
Meri Yaadain

These include simple explanations of symptoms, care strategies and how to get help.

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Support from Mosques and Imams

Many families first seek help through their imam. Mosques can offer:

reassurance that dementia is a medical condition
guidance on caring with dignity and faith
advice on modesty and gender-sensitive care
prayer and spiritual support
burial and bereavement guidance
help accessing formal services

More imams now receive dementia training from charities and NHS teams.

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Grief and Bereavement Support for Muslim Families

Muslim Bereavement Support Service (MBSS)

Specialist support for:

widows
adult children
former carers
individuals who feel isolated after the funeral

Volunteer-led, confidential, faith-sensitive.

AtaLoss.org – Muslim Bereavement Resources

Provides signposting to counsellors, groups and Islamic grief resources.

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You Are Not Alone

Dementia is difficult enough — navigating it without culturally sensitive support can be overwhelming.

There are services, support groups, and faith-aware resources available for Muslim families in the UK.