There are more than 11,700 people living with dementia in Suffolk and more than 14,000 people living with dementia in Norfolk, and the Alzheimer's Society is calling on everyone to unite and plan actions, big or small, to make a huge difference to people affected by the illness this Dementia Action Week. Here are five top ways you can get involved in 2018...

1 Become a Dementia Friend

Alzheimer's Society's Dementia Friends initiative allows people to learn a little bit more about what it's like to live with dementia and then turn that understanding into action.

Across Norfolk and Suffolk there are already more than 48,000 Dementia Friends. To get involved you can either find your nearest Dementia Friends information session – a fun, interactive session that covers five key messages through activities and discussion – or watch an online video.

To find your nearest session, visit www.dementiafriends.org.uk

2 Spread the news

This year's Dementia Action Week theme is community change and Alzheimer's Society wants to see a big impact in Norfolk and Suffolk.

People with dementia and carers have shared actions that make a difference, from 'Invite me out – friends still mean the world to me' to 'Take time to listen – I can still teach you a thing or two'. Unite against dementia and help people affected to feel included in their community and able to live the life they want.

Get your family, friends or work colleagues to sign up and be the first to hear more at www.alzheimers.org.uk/DAW3 Arrange a quiz event

Sign up, team up and compete to unite against dementia with the all-new, action-packed mega-quiz. With someone developing dementia every three minutes, it's the biggest health and social care challenge we now face.

This is your chance to help outsmart it, using the power of the quiz to raise funds – and have a lot of fun. Sign up for your free Challenge Dementia Quiz pack at www.alzheimers.org.uk/challengedementia. You can also contact your local community fundraising officer, Jenna Veneziani, at jenna.veneziani@alzheimers.org.uk

4 Join dementia research

Almost everyone knows someone whose life has been affected by dementia. There hasn't been a new drug for dementia in 15 years, but since 2013, the number of clinical trials for Alzheimer's drugs has doubled.

Alzheimer's Society will continue to drive forward research for effective treatments for dementia and – ultimately – a cure. Unite against dementia and sign up to take part in research, visit www.alzheimers.org.uk/joindementiaresearch5 Get involved on social media

Whether you are planning your own fundraising event, attending a Dementia Friends information session or have a unique action to help make a difference, Alzheimer's Society wants to hear about it.

Share what you are planning on social media by using #DAW2018. You can 'like' or 'follow' your local Alzheimer's Society pages at Facebook: Alzheimer's Society – East Anglia, and Twitter: @AlzSocEAnglia