Information and advice 

Dementia is a broad term used to describe different types of degenerative diseases of the brain. There are many different types of dementia, the most common being Alzheimer’s disease, Vascular Dementia, Dementia with Lewy Bodies and Parkinson’s dementia. Alzheimer’s disease accounts for 60 – 80% of dementia cases.

Dementia is a brain disorder that slowly destroys memory, thinking and reasoning skills and eventually the ability to carry out the simplest tasks. Symptoms can appear at any age, but most commonly in people in their mid 60s, and it can happen to anyone.

Dementia can be confused with other conditions with similar symptoms so it’s important to get a formal diagnosis to rule out other treatable diseases. This will clarify what is ‘wrong’; it will allow people to get the necessary information, advice and support they need; to access drug treatment and clinical trials, and most importantly it will give people the time to plan for the future.

To get a diagnosis go to your GP. Initially the GP will perform tests including blood and urine to rule out other ailments. Once these are ruled out the GP may refer the patient to a specialist consultant, who will involve the Community Mental Health team and possibly a Memory Clinic who will perform tests and give the dementia diagnosis. It is important to get it in writing as this will help with access to benefits.

Once an official diagnosis is made, the local Community Mental Health team may prescribe drugs which are aimed at slowing the progression of the disease. The team should provide you with details of benefits that may be available, Council Tax reduction and information about support services in your area, such as The Hunter Centre. We can help with more information and advice. The ‘useful links’ below also suggests some organisations that can provide advice and practical help.

In addition to assistance from the Mental Health team, a diagnosis can involve access to adult social services and occupational health teams as well as to a social prescriber. Social prescribing involves taking a holistic approach to health and wellbeing, focusing on what matters to you and can help connect you to community groups and statutory services for practical and emotional support.

Dementia symptoms can vary from person to person, and it is impossible to predict what impact it will have on each individual. Memory may become less reliable, but other symptoms may include:

• Becoming lost in familiar places
• Not recognising a familiar face
• Forgetting where you left something
• Repeating yourself
• Changes in vision
• Communication difficulties
• Change in cognitive skills, making everyday tasks a challenge
• Being unsteady on your feet
• Changes in your mood.

The cognitive decline that accompanies dementia conditions does not happen all at once and the progression of dementia can be divided into seven distinct, identifiable stages known as the Global Deterioration Scale (GDS). Dementia starts silently with brain changes that begin years before anyone notices a problem. Hence the stages can be summarized as follows:

• Pre-dementia or early stage dementia where a person can live independently and may not exhibit obvious memory loss

• Moderate or mid-stage dementia where personality and behavioural changes become apparent, and assistance will be needed with daily activities

• Severe or late stage dementia involving severe cognitive impairment and loss of physical abilities, pronounced memory loss, inability to communicate or move without help.

Specific types of dementia progress at unique rates and differ from person to person.

The early stages can be confused with the normal ageing process such as forgetfulness, misplacing items, slow reactions, finding the right words and getting distracted.

The importance of continued social interaction and stimulation cannot be understated.

Thinking positively and involving family and friends, even though it can be difficult for all to come to terms with the diagnosis, will help to enlist their support and understanding. It may take time for people to feel comfortable and accept the condition and they may react differently initially because they don’t understand. In time they will accept and adjust.

Acceptance of the condition and peace of mind can help with mental well-being, and maintaining regular activities as well as pursuing interests and hobbies for as long as possible will reduce isolation and loss of contact with others. Meeting new people in the same situation can also be helpful.

Carers will need support and respite as the disease progresses and should be identified and registered with the GP. There will be help available within the community and these should be contacted, for example local community transport services, meals on wheels and church groups.

See our useful links section below for some suggested organizations that may be helpful.

Dementia is a progressive disease requiring monitoring at all stages, but studies show that key lifestyle changes are very important in reducing the risk of developing dementia and in slowing down the progress of the disease. Medical and research journals generally agree that the following factors are important in minimizing our risk of brain disease:

• Manage blood pressure
• Eat Healthily
• Reduce blood sugar
• Control cholesterol
• Lose weight
• Exercise regularly
• Keep your brain stimulated
• Get a regular good night’s sleep
• Relax your mind, avoid daily stress
• Socialisation
• Check your hearing
• Protect Your Head
• Stop smoking
• Reduce alcohol intake

In essence keeping active and well is vital in the management of dementia. Not only is it necessary to exercise and eat a healthy diet, but also to ensure you have regular medical, dental, sight and hearing tests. You should also ensure that vaccinations are up to date.

A dementia diagnosis is not the end of the world. There are many things that someone living with dementia will continue to be able to do with friends and family, though these will change over time.

Garden centres, coffee shops and libraries are usually safe spaces and many are now dementia friendly.

Sharing memories can help with communication. This can give the persons with dementia a sense of self by acknowledging achievements in their lives. By keeping connected with those around them this can help with general mood and self-confidence. In general photographs, postcards and music are known to bring back memories and raise the spirits. Singing can improve brain activity, well-being and mood – you may be able to find a singing group near you.

Creating a memory box full of mementoes from hobbies, letters and things of sentimental value can be helpful in generating conversation and reminiscence, as can creating a life story book. Jigsaws and puzzles can be useful as stimulation and watching old movies can be fun for all.

Someone with dementia can still communicate effectively but there are a number of things you can consider to facilitate this:-

• Put time aside to talk to the person with dementia

• Don’t have too many visitors at once

• Remove distractions, turn down loud television or radios and move to a quiet place

• Speak at a slower pace, clearly and calmly

• Ask short questions that might have a ‘yes or no’ answer

• Don’t tell them about too much into the future, just explain what is happening now

• When approaching them, say their name clearly, so that they are aware you are addressing them and smile

• If you are offering them a choice e.g. what to eat, offer them a choice of two but no more than three things and be clear about what you are asking them

• Try not to use too many open-ended questions

• If they use a hearing aid check the battery is working!

• Think about your body language

• Use visual aids – the written word, pictures, or objects

• When chatting with someone with dementia, don’t correct them if their memories are incorrect, go into their reality, try not to bring them into yours.

Routine is important so try and keep meal times at the same time and in the same place each day.