Dementia - Raise Awareness

Monday, 15th May - During this week, we held a number of activities across Bedfordshire and Norfolk County creating the much-needed awareness of Dementia. On the 15th May, we held the extremely successful Dementia virtual reality experience with Carers in Bedfordshire. Carers in Bedfordshire are a carers charity based in Bedford, that supports unpaid carers with accessing both emotional and financial support.

Several professionals were invited to attend the Dementia Virtual Reality event including GP's, Social Workers, Occupational Therapists and Dementia Nurses from across the county. All professionals were encouraged to enter the world of someone with Dementia experiencing both auditory and visual impairments simulating some of their patient’s daily brain and physical activity.

Partnering with this Charity allowed us to focus on the goal of:

A) Create a deeper understanding of Dementia

B) Help adjust our support to meet people’s needs following their virtual experience. 

C) Understand people’s behaviours and offer individualised support

This was a great event with positive feedback and delegates openly sharing their experience during our feedback session. Some of the feedback comments include:

 " I honestly did not realise the overwhelming noise that people experience, the confusion...I found it scary, but I now know how to support people to help settle their anxiety/ confusion".

“When patient come to our surgery, I know how to help them and use techniques I have learnt to support them if they have questions”?

We are proud that we were able to extend the training and create awareness within this county.

Saturday, 20th May -  Our Norfolk, Services Manager - Kayleigh had taken the leap 10,000 from the ground in a tandem sky dive. During Dementia Week Kayleigh's goal was to:

Create Awareness – 1 in 3 people will be diagnosed with Dementia by 2030. It is important that we fund the research to find out why and find a cure.

Raise Money – Kayleigh raised an excellent figure of £513.00. All proceeds raised will be sent directly to the Alzheimer's Society.

Step out of her comfort zone – Each day Dementia patients are unable to fully step out of their comfort and often feel as if they are in a down would spiral. Creating awareness can help us to provide tailor made support for each patient.

You can see Kayleigh's amazing sky diving video by clicking here

We are all very, very proud of Kayleigh. Dementia has had an impact on so many peoples live's. On the 11th May 2023, our CEO spent the day with patients who are living with Lewy Body dementia and their family members. It has created an intrinsic awareness of what our clients face daily. Some of the lived experiences, stories and testaments reinforces the drive to create awareness and find a Dementia cure for the future generation.

One question a patient said during the meeting was "Why Me?". This question, reported by Mercy Canning CEO, had taken her breath away. The guilt that the person feels, the loss of their identity, body control and feeling like they are a burden on others can be terrifying for the patient and their loved one.

Dementia is indiscriminate with no rhyme or reason and can affect 1 in 3 people nationwide. Dementia effects more people across the world than cancer. There is currently no cure for Dementia but we can do what we can to raise awareness of this disease and raise funds to support future research so we can find a cure.

Did you know that some patients that have Dementia experience:

Severe Depression and suicidal ideations - "Why Me". Holding the guilt of being a burden on others and losing their identity

Fear of eating out - some clients miss their mouths when eating and they feel conscience and hyper aware of this

Unable to see steps when walking - increasing fall risks

Decreased appetite - some patients are unable to see the food on the plate due to floating proteins

Urinating on opening their bowels in areas of the home - in their mind the area is the toilet

Hyper fear of being left alone

There are so many other behaviours that we may question and never really understand. But, we can support patients and their unpaid carers. The best way we can offer support is by creating awareness of Dementia, becoming a Dementia Friend, educating ourselves on how we can support our clients, neighbours, family and friends.

We hope we have achieved some awareness during Dementia weekly especially working with a number of local charities.