Dementia Action Week 2022 | Right at Home Solent

Published: 16/05/2022

Dementia Action Week 2022 | Right at Home Solent

Dementia Action Week is one of the UK’s biggest and most profound awareness campaigns. It happens every year, to raise awareness of Dementia Disease. So, you might be asking yourself the question…what actually is Dementia? Within the Care industry, ‘Dementia’ is a team that we hear almost daily; but do we really understand what it means? Dementia is essentially an Umbrella team for several different progressive conditions that affect one’s brain. What people don’t know is that there are over 200 different types of Dementia. Each person’s experience with Dementia is different, as how they are affected by the disease is entirely based what type of Dementia they have. The human brain is made up of four lobes and each type of Dementia effects a different part of the brain and this is why people can have such different symptoms and experiences.

Dementia Action Week 2022 (16-22 May) is all about ‘Diagnosis’. For the person with Dementia and their family, the diagnosis is normally the hardest part. I suppose it’s the ‘fear of the unknown’, if you’ve never known someone with Dementia or had to deal with it personally, of course it’s going to leave you with all these questions. However, during Dementia Action Week 2022, the Alzheimer’s Society is encouraging those who are concerned that they or a loved one may be experiencing signs of Dementia to come to us for support and guidance. Once you’ve taken that first step to getting a Diagnosis, you can be offered practical advice and information on what to do next, so that you never have to deal with it on your own!

If you are worried about yourself, or a loved one, here are some of the symptoms that you can look out for:

Memory Problems
Cognitive Ability (Restlessness/Indecisiveness/Loss of Interest in Activities)
A Change in Communication (Fear of Socialising/Speech/Anxiety/Depression)

Prevention

There are a few things we can do during our lifetime to potentially reduce your risk of Dementia or delay its impact. Unfortunately, there are a few things that you can’t change such as: Age, Ethnicity, Gender and Genetics. The modifiable risks of Dementia, which we can try and change, are: Alcohol Intake, Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, Smoking, and Obesity; just to name a few.

Amy Dementia Action Week 2022 Holding Hands

Our CareGivers

Kirsten has been part of our team for about 6 months; she's one of our Team Leaders. Kirsten cares with a number of our clients who suffer with Dementia; and for #DementiaActionWeek we asked Kirsten to give us an insight to what caring for someone with Dementia is like.

"I have a few regular clients who are suffering with dementia; each of them at different stages.

I think the difficult thing when working with someone with Dementia is that you can never be sure of how they will be; Will they know me? Will they be confused? Will they appear as if nothing is wrong? You must prepare for every eventuality, and they will still surprise you more often than not.

Like with most conditions, Dementia can affect everyone differently. It may be that someone appears to repeat themselves more often than usual or they become frustrated at themselves or situations, quicker than they did before. Obviously, this doesn't always mean dementia but it is something to consider.

I have a male client who has recently been diagnosed and other than sometimes forgetting what he is saying, he generally appears to be his happy-go-lucky self and makes perfect sense. Sometimes he will get my name wrong throughout the visit but will then suddenly remember it again and then there are times where he forgets his routine and will become frustrated and angry at himself, me, the situation. I don't take it personally though, I just do my best to keep him calm and support him in the safest way possible.

Another client of mine will tell you she forgets things and will point out the notes she leaves for people, describing her likes and interests, what she can and can't do etc but then we'll be chatting and she will mix up 2 or 3 things (tv programmes for example) and have no idea she is doing so. I find it best to read the situation, which thankfully I am good at, and decide whether to just go along with the conversation and let it take its natural path or point out the clients mistake in the most efficient way. Then there are the clients who have had Dementia for many years and don't remember most things. This can be very difficult, especially for their loved ones, as the client will not know people or remember names or know why they are there. As a carer we are responsible for these clients in every way whilst we are there - medications, personal care, nutrition and hydration, safety and security plus much more.

When it comes to behaviour these clients are the hardest to read because their attitude and behaviour can change in an instant. I've had clients who have out of nowhere screamed at me to get out of their house because they don't know me (they do but not in that instance) or they're scared. I've had clients "come onto me" and be extremely inappropriate but again, I don't take any of this personally. I change the subject, engage them in something else (a book or the TV or similar), advise our management team and the client's next of kin.

Saying that, I love caring for these clients and helping them in any way I can. Making a positive difference to them, even if just for an hour, is what it's about."

- Kirsten, Right at Home Solent

Check out the Alzheimer's Society website for more information about Dementia Action Week 2022 - https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-involved/dementia-action-week

Or call our friendly team today on 01329 233755 for more information about Dementia or if you need any care support for you or a loved one!

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Dementia Action Week 2022 | Right at Home Solent