[15][16] The organisation was formed in 1979,[17][18] following a radio broadcast on the subject of Alzheimer's disease which brought together gerontology researcher Professor Gordon Wilcock with former carer Cora Phillips.

[19] In December of that year, Morella Fisher wrote to every British national newspaper about her experiences caring for her husband, who had early-onset dementia, with the story being covered by The Observer, prompting Phillips to get in contact.

Within a few weeks, the trio had established the Alzheimer's Disease Society, with an aim to raise awareness, provide information for families and generate funds for research.

[21][better source needed] Through the 1980s and 1990s the society continued to grow, with volunteer committees establishing branches across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

[25][26] Kate Lee's appointment in 2020 was brought forward by six weeks following allegations in The Guardian that the outgoing chief executive Jeremy Hughes had bullied staff.

[27] Commenting on the result, The Guardian stated that the commission had admitted failing to investigate the original complaint properly in 2018 or interview complainants[28] whilst the chair of the Alzheimer's trustees, Stephen Hill, said the society wanted to ensure best practice and had reviewed its procedures.

[31] The society provides information and support for people with dementia and their carers by telephone[32] and online,[33] including factsheets[34][better source needed] which can be downloaded.

[35] The society campaigns[36][better source needed] for the rights of people with dementia and their carers, including by lobbying for governmental policy changes.

[40] It runs an accelerator programme, providing grants and support to people developing products and services to support those living with dementia,[41] including launches of products such as Sibstar, a specially designed debit card,[42] SmartSocks, intended to track agitation and alert carers of distress,[43] and Jelly Drops, sweets that provide easy hydration.

[52] The society drew criticisms of becoming too centralised and was subject to protests from members following its announcement to close all of its 240 local branches in 2010, restructuring them into 49 regional centres.