Dementia Awareness Week: 14-20 May
According to the Alzheimer’s Society, dementia is set to be the 21st century’s biggest killer. But awareness and understanding remains low and many families are facing it alone.
We asked Carl Bradley, Director of Care Services at Waypoints, a specialist dementia care home group – including a home based in Upton, for an overview...
What is dementia?
“Dementia is an umbrella term that covers lots of illnesses, which are generally irreversible degenerative conditions affecting the brain, the most common form of which is Alzheimer’s. All types of dementia can leave the loved-one with memory loss, personality changes and diffi culty in understanding or communicating, although most people retain their emotional memory.”
How do you spot signs of dementia? “If someone starts to forget things or gets muddled, they should see their GP as it’s important to get an early diagnosis to see if it can be resolved. The next stage will be referral to specialists, who can offer medication to help initially and maintain them at a certain level. They can also put carers in touch with the available services, including memory cafes, support networks, day centres or respite care.”
“My two top tips for carers are:
• Most dementia-sufferers’ memory eventually reverts back to their childhood, so they can get confused when talking about things that don’t relate to this time in their life. Therefore, I always advise carers to live in people’s reality.
• Although the person may not recognise their carer, they do know that they still love them, which can really help a carer to deal with the illness when the person no longer recognises them as their husband or wife, daughter or son.”
What help is available?
“No family needs to suffer alone - there is lots of help available once a diagnosis is given. The following websites may also be of use:
www.alzheimers.org.uk;
www.dementiauk.org;
www.waypoints-care.co.uk.”
Dan Burns Services Qualifi ed Gas Engineer & Plumber
• FENCING • PAVING • GATES SUPPLIED / FITTED • CONCRETE PADS / BASES
FREE QUOTATIONS FULLY INSURED REGISTERED WASTE CARRIER
43 Albert Road, Corfe Mullen, Wimborne, Dorset BH21 3QD
07891 576770
robaggas@outlook.com
01202 693373 34
• Commercial / Domestic Gas & Heating Services
• Full Bathroom & Kitchen Installs
• Carpentry & Plumbing • Blocked Drains
Lower Blandford Road, Broadstone
07957 220 398 • 01202 693 403 email:
danburnsgas@outlook.com
www.danburnsgas.com To advertise, please contact 01202 657317 or email
karen@broadstonelink.co.uk REG No. 200060
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40
