The campaign, 'Worried about your memory?', will send 10,000 leaflets to surgeries across the UK in an attempt to pursuade patients to talk to their GP if they suspect they have memory problems.

The charity will also target those most at risk of dementia, of which memory loss is a symptom. This includes people with high blood pressure, cholesterol or who have had a stroke.

Ruth Sutherland, acting chief executive of Alzheimer’s Society, said: ‘We want people to know that everyone gets a little forgetful from time to time, but when memory loss starts to interfere with daily life it is important to get it checked out as soon as possible.

‘Memory loss can be a symptom of dementia, along with confusion and mood changes. The sooner people seek help the sooner they can start living their lives to the full.’

A similar campaign in 2009 reached 80,000 people after leaflets were delivered to general practices across the country. One in five of the people who requested further information went on to get a diagnosis.

Only a third of people with dementia receive a formal diagnosis, and research shows many people concerned about memory problems put off going to see their GP.