Facts About Alzheimer's Disease

Great to see youngsters getting involved, it proves that dementia awareness is growing and gives the future a brighter future is on the horizon.

How Carrol, a Dementia Sufferer Beats Depression

 Here's a heart warming story from the 'Aldergrove Star' about Carrol Horne a wonderful dementia sufferer who is determined not to let depression affect her condition.  Carrol keeps herself as fit and active as she can (she puts me to shame!) as continues to live as normal a life with her family and friends.  Her story shows the importance of getting an early diagnosis but also of following that up by seeking help and support as well.

Hopefully with dementia awareness and more and more support agencies and services on the rise, there will be more and more stories like Carrol's to share.  You can read the full article, 'overcoming dementia's depression,' by clicking the 'Aldergrove Star' Online Link Here.

Getting A Proper Diagnosis of Dementia

I came across this video from Teepa Snow on Dementia about getting a proper diagnosis which I recommend viewing. In fact I recommend carers to put some time aside and watch as many of Teepa's tutorials as possible on YouTube, especially if training isn't readily available to you.  I get good training at work but some of her tips have added a new dimension to how I react and handle situations now ~ for my own good, but more importantly for the welfare and safety of the folk I look after.

How A Cup of Tea Can Help More Than You Thought

 We all like a cuppa, so what better way to help give support to Dementia Carer's and their families than hosting a tea party!  Raising awareness and more importantly a few £'s can help to support the provision of Admiral Nurses who provide a lifeline to hundreds of people all around the country.

Admiral Nurses work with family carers of all ages and backgrounds, tailoring their support to each carers individual needs to help them to meet the daily challenges they face.  From practical help and information through to psychological support, Admiral Nurses are there to assist when and where help is most needed.

If you think you would like to help and enjoy yourself with family, friends, work colleagues or any other caring people in your local area, then find out more about organizing your own tea party with the help of the 'Time For A Cuppa' campaign being organised by Dementia UK.  Pop over to the website now for full details along with some great information on how to make your party a success.

A Radical Approach To Dementia Care

 I recently came across this article/podcast about dementia care on 'The Sunday Edition' of 'CBC Radio' which I think you will find interesting.  It proves that in so many cases that a good quality of life can be extended for dementia sufferers.  It takes a bit of thinking outside of the box, with a lot of the old myths and care practices being blown away, treating the person rather than the disease is the key.

Unfortunately I can't see the U.K. government funding such a scheme (not at present anyway) but it would be a wonderful role model for many of the more progressive care home facilities around the world to take up.  Anyway, see what you think by reading and listening to the article (not sure if the podcast is available in all countries!) here at CBC Radio ~ Sunday Edition.

Shakespeare and Dementia

To many of us dementia is a modern day disease brought on by the stressful and fast paced lives we all now lead (and some more extreme theories of cloak and dagger conspiracies).  Although this is probably an attribute to the rise in health problems that can possibly trigger off varying forms of dementia, it still remains a natural disease which has been with us throughout history.  If like me you are a bit of a history nerd you will already know that many famous historical figures have suffered with 'the madness of old age', Kings and Queens included.

The fact is that medical and information technology advancement has highlighted the disease (not all to the good) and our awareness is growing day upon day so we think of it almost as a new invention.  To prove my point here is an except from William Shakespeare's 'King Lear' when the King who is suffering from 'the madness' wakes up and see's his daughter Cordelia.

 

Lear: Where have I been? Where am I? Fair daylight,
I am mightily abus'd. I should e'en die with pity, To see another thus. I know not what to say.
I will not swear these are my hands. Let's see.
I feel this pin prick. Would I were assur'd
Of my condition!
Cordelia:O, look upon me, Sir. And hold your hands in benediction o'er me.
No, sir, you must not kneel.
Lear:Pray, do not mock me.
I am a very foolish fond old man,
Fourscore and upward, not an hour more nor less; And, to deal plainly,
I fear I am not in my perfect mind.
Methinks I should know you, and know this man;
Yet I am doubtful; for I am mainly ignorant
What place this is; and all the skill I have
remembers not these garments; nor I know not
Where I did lodge last night. Do not laugh at me;
For (as I am a man) I think this lady
To be my child Cordelia.

If you are a carer or know of someone with dementia, I'm sure the above will sound all too familiar! 

Dementia Friends

Cameron pledges £2.4million for Dementia Friends Initiative.

£10million put aside for dementia research.

Wards and hospitals to receive £50million to adapt to dementia patient care

As a Heath Care worker it heartens me to see that the Government is at long last prepared to put it’s (our) money to work in an area that has until now been neglected and swept under the proverbial carpet.  As Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt stated, "Dementia is as much of a taboo as cancer was in the 1960’s."  He also admitted that the way society deals with dementia is "shockingly bad," adding: "We need to change attitudes."

So the Prime Minister and Health secretary Jeremy Hunt have pledged their support for dementia sufferers with the announcement for a £2.4million project to train a million volunteers to spot the illness and care for patients.  Currently there are about 800,000 Britons being treated for dementia and around another 400,000 are thought to suffer from it but have not been diagnosed.  So you can see the value of such a scheme, especially as Mr Hunt again says that, "Too many people with dementia feel cut off, lonely and fearful without the support and understanding they need."

Mr Cameron told ITV's This Morning show that, "We need to build a society where people can live well with dementia, enjoying the best possible quality of life for as long as possible. I want Britain to be one of the best places to be for dementia care."  If like me you are a carer or perhaps would simply like to participate in the ‘Dementia Friends’ scheme to find out how you can help in your own community without the responsibility or time of becoming a carer then please check out the website and sign up for more information.

Remember ~ Every little bit of effort, knowledge and awareness can go a long way!  Simple things like giving a hand with a dementia sufferers shopping, washing and ironing can be of vital importance and also free up time for a carer to do the more ‘heavy weight’ tasks of person centered care.  Let’s take Mr Cameron up on the challenge and make ‘Britain the Best Carers in the World, and be proud of it!”

How Would You Cope With A Natural Disaster ~ and Dementia?

There is a great article on the Huffington Post Healthy Living Blog today about Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease in particular which I thought was worth sharing with you.  Its headline caught my eye; "Knowledge of Behavioral Symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease Helps Post-Disaster, Anytime" which puts an unusual spin on the subject of dementia which many of us (myself included) have never bothered to consider.

It's an eye opener and I hope that you not only enjoy the article, but also that it changes your approach to the way you think and deal with people not only suffering with dementia but also those with other mental or indeed physical disabilities when faced with adversity.

You can read the full article here at Huffington Post Healthy Living Blog.

Thanks for your time!

Treating The Person ~ Not The Disease

As a trainee carer with no experience of having worked with Dementia sufferers before (not quite true as my parents both had strokes back in the 1960's, but it was not really defined as dementia back then and the information available was almost non-existent) it was quite a shock to be told, 'treat the person, not the disease!'  I wasn't quite sure what this meant until I came face to face with my new pals, it then became crystal clear. ~ The human connection kicked in and the word compassion had a whole different meaning. 

Obviously treatment is given by medical experts but as a carer your priority is the person.  Although in the worst case scenario's the person can be a mere shell of their former selves, inside of them that person still exists and deserves to be treated as an individual with the same human rights as any well person has.  It is vital to remember this fact when caring for someone, it not only gives that person a better quality of care (and indeed, life) but helps you to come to terms with the problems a carer will inevitably meet head on.

It's not easy to keep this in mind when dealing with aggressive or even violent behaviour but in my short experience as a carer it has been a valuable asset to be able to look a person in the eyes and look for the person within; to treat the person, not the disease.

Fortunately these days all care homes are run along 'Person Centred Care' principles based on the principles of Tom Kitwood that good quality care not only improves quality of life but could actually slow down the progression of dementia.  His work was based on the psycho-social needs of individuals and that good care should involve meeting these needs. In his book Dementia Reconsidered: The Person Comes First (Rethinking Ageing) he details the process which covers:-

Comfort ~ the need for closeness and tenderness.
Attachment ~ (Belonging) - the need to form bonds with others.
Inclusion ~ the need to feel involved and part of what if happening.
Identity ~ the need for others to know who we are, our likes, beliefs etc.

I think we can all relate to these needs, and a person suffering with dementia is no different.

Don't Panic! ~ It May not be Dementia

When I began to discover about Dementia I started to become aware of the symptoms within myself, and to say that mild panic set in is an understatement!  However many of the symptoms are the same as or similar to those we can all relate to at some time or another and are often just a part of getting on in years.  So if you lose your car keys now and again ~ Don't Panic!

Obviously if you notice some of the symptoms occurring on a regular basis (in yourself or others) I recommend you talk to your G.P. as soon as possible, as the sooner you start receiving treatment the better and you can start preparing the way for your care.  But as I say, don't worry yourself unnecessarily, here are a few of the causes that can give similar symptoms to dementia:-

Constipation:  This can cause confusion, disorientation, short term memory loss, aggression and frustration as well as faecal incontinence.

Urine Infection:  This can cause confusion, disorientation, short term memory loss, aggression and frustration as well as urinary incontinence.

Chest Infection:  This can cause confusion, disorientation, short term memory loss, aggression, frustration, urinary and faecal incontinence, loss of mobility and comprehension of how to carry out tasks.

Operations / Anaesthetics:  This can cause confusion, disorientation and comprehension of how to carry out tasks.

Ulcers:  This can cause confusion, disorientation, short term memory loss, loss of mobility and comprehension of how to carry out tasks.

Hypothermia:  This can cause confusion, disorientation and short term memory loss.

Malnutrition:  This can cause confusion, disorientation, short term memory loss and comprehension of how to carry out tasks.

Change of Medication:  This can cause confusion, disorientation, short term memory loss, aggression, frustration, urinary and faecal incontinence, loss of mobility and comprehension of how to carry out tasks.

Alcohol & Drugs:  These can cause confusion, disorientation, slurred communication and short term memory loss.

Depression:  This can lead to withdrawal, isolation, aggression, low mood, not bothered to carry out everyday tasks, lack of general interest and unable to see positives.

"Dementia is not a normal part of aging ~ nor is it inevitable in old age!"

This is not a comprehensive list but I think it helps to recognise that not all dementia symptoms are in fact the onset of dementia.  However I highly recommend that anyone suffering these symptoms discuss them with their family, friends and in their best interest see their General Practitioner, for peace of mind if nothing else.

See also "What Is Dementia" page.