The national charity called ‘for dementia’ has changed its name to Dementia UK, effective as of 31 March 2010.

Announcing the name change, chief executive Barbara Stephens said: “We have changed our name to Dementia UK to reflect our strengthened presence across the UK. Our new name also provides us with a distinctive identity and an easier-to-use name for all our stakeholders, partners and supporters.

“In all other respects it’s business as usual as our focus remains, as it always has done, on improving the quality of life for all those affected by dementia across all our areas of work.”

The name change has given the charity the opportunity to "refresh” its image and logo, said Dementia UK’s chair of trustees Ann Windiate - “implemented at minimal cost”, she added.

A number of new patrons and the appointment of new honorary president John Suchet, whose wife Bonnie was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2006, were also unveiled.  The rebranding was announced at the official launch of the Association for Dementia Studies (ADS), part of the University of Worcester, of which Dementia UK is a key partner.  The Association has been set up to help implement the Department of Health's new National Demetia Strategy.

Professor David Jolley, actor Leonard Fenton, former carer Barbara Pointon MBE, Professor Bob Woods and Professor Martin Orrell have joined Dementia UK as patrons.

There are currently 700,000 people with dementia in the UK and this figure is expected to rise to over one million by 2025.