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Dementia is the name given to a cluster of symptoms caused by various diseases of the brain. The words “dementia” and “Alzheimer’s” are often used interchangeably, even by clinical staff and social workers, without being clear what the people using the words mean. In fact, the term “dementia” may be
When Darren turned 60 last year, he wanted to mark the milestone in a way that meant something. Rather than simply celebrate, he chose to fundraise in memory of his dad, Tom, raising around £700. This year, he wanted to go further. So, he brought his whole community together for
Caring for someone with dementia can be complicated when you live nearby. When you live far away, it brings a different kind of challenge. You may be living on another continent, in another country within the UK, or simply too far in their region to get there and back easily
End of life care for people with dementia has not always been well understood. People with dementia and their families do not always think of dementia as a fatal condition in the same way that, for example, we regard cancer or advanced heart disease. But dementia is progressive and life
Nineteen years. Over £40,000 raised for different charities. Run entirely by volunteers. St Mary’s Coffee Shop in Send has been doing this since 2007. Every month, the team choose a charity and invite visitors to give what they can, however small, in return for fresh coffee and homemade cake. This
Do you remember the last time someone made you a warm drink? Or gave you a bunch of flowers? How did receiving that small gesture feel? Did it raise a smile? Were you reminded of it in the days or weeks that followed? Trent Dementia is a charity supporting people
CTE, dementia, and the question contact sports can no longer avoid Steve Thompson won a Rugby World Cup in 2003 with England. He cannot remember it. Not the final. Not the flight. Not being in Australia. At 42, he was diagnosed with early-onset dementia and probable chronic traumatic encephalopathy. He
When people think about grief, they usually imagine the sadness that follows a death. In dementia, grief begins much earlier. People find themselves grieving long before the person they love has died. It’s different, but it is real. Understanding this can help carers make sense of emotions that feel confusing
When memory or thinking problems worry you or someone close to you, the first step is to speak to the GP. For many families this is daunting. The person affected may dismiss the problems. It’s understandable. This is a worrying experience. People worry about what effect this is going to
Dementia research is moving quickly. It’s often grouped into four big areas: prevention, earlier and better diagnosis, treatments that target disease processes, and research that improves day to day life for people living with dementia and those who care for them.
We would like to say how very grateful we are to Sahana Vaidyanathan, aged 15, for the fantastic fundraising she has been doing over the past five years in memory of her grandfather.
Christmas is the season when many people gather, and for some, it’s the first time for months, or even for the whole year. When someone in the family is affected by cognitive impairment, it can be a bit of a shock to see how they have changed since last Christmas.
Responding to Dementia without drugs When someone develops dementia, they may start to behave out of character. They may seem anxious, angry, withdrawn, or restless. These changes are often called the behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). Sometimes, particularly in care homes and hospitals, the first response is to reach for
