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!”