Introduction-

This week, 13th-19th May 2024, is Dementia Awareness week, Dementia is the most prominent condition within our service, and this is why we feel as if it is important to spread as much information around this condition as possible.

There are multiple types of Dementia, these being, Alzheimer’s, Vascular Dementia, Mixed Dementia, Frontotemporal Dementia and Dementia with Lewy Bodies. Dementia is a brain functioning decline that affects memory, thinking, mood and behaviour. It can be caused by many different factors, such as stress, ill health, or ageing.

The Importance of spreading awareness about Dementia-

We all know someone suffering from dementia, who has suffered from it, or those whose partners have dementia, and you can see the toll that it takes on that person, their partner, and their families. Living with dementia is a really tough thing, and it is so much more than just being ‘forgetful’. Dementia can affect your mobility, your sight, your relationships with your family, your appetite, and many other things. Some of the key functions which are affected by Dementia can include:

  • Language
  • Memory
  • Vision
  • Social behaviour
  • Emotion
  • Perception
  • Coordination
  • Executive functioning (such as decision making)
  • It is important to note that this is not an exhaustive list – symptoms vary for each individual.

Through our care planning, we aim to promote the independence, including mobility, of people with dementia. Our care plans address activities of daily living that maximise independent activity, enhance function, adapt and develop skills, and minimise the need for support. However, everyone is different, we don’t just have the same generalised care plan for all of our care plans, as dementia does not effect two people in the same way , the care plan needs to be person centred to that person, whether they have dementia or not. If our clients with dementia develop non-cognitive symptoms that cause them significant distress, or develop challenging behaviour, they will be offered an assessment at an early opportunity to establish likely factors that may generate, aggravate or improve such behaviour.

Living with Dementia-

I spoke with the wife of one of our clients, who suffers with dementia, the other day. I asked her a few questions around what it is like living with her husband whose dementia has advanced quite a bit recently.

(She has given consent for these answers to be written in this blog, however, names have been removed due to GDPR purposes)

1. How did you feel when your husband was first diagnosed with Dementia?
– ‘I was expecting it, my husband was an Orthopaedic Surgeon and his memory got a lot worse after he retired. This was because he now had no purpose really, but I was quite glad of the diagnosis, because I knew it was something solid, it was something we could put our finger on.’
2. What is it like to live with someone who has dementia?
– ‘It is incredibly boring, because he has no memory, no more than 30 seconds now. He repeats the same question over and over, and now unfortunately is even unable to follow a television programme. He is always asking ‘what?’ and ‘why?’, and at times this can be really frustrating. Having lived with someone, who was incredibly athletic, and on the go all the time, to now having someone who has trouble walking down the stairs. It can make you feel so sad for what was, and what could’ve been, we had great plans for our retirement and we’ve not been able to do any of this. It’s not easy to live with, but that’s how it is.’
3. How does it affect you/ your day to day life?
– ‘It means that I have to do everything now, my first hour or two of the day is feeding all of the animals, and then a lot of the time my husband is quite reluctant to get out of bed, however, having the carers coming a few days a week does motivate him to get up. He eats so little now and he used to have a terrific appetite. We live in a very isolated area so if I need anything I have to travel to get it and I cant leave him at home on his own as he has started to have falls. Everything is tied completely to him. Having my husbands 5hr block calls with you is the best thing I have ever done to be able to have me time, otherwise I wouldn’t be able to do anything. In that time I get all of my shopping and other things that need doing done. Unfortunately it has really taken away my independence.
4. How do you feel about the work that Lani does with your Husband?
– ‘I really couldn’t cope without her, I’ve said I’d be happy for you to change all the carers whenever you like, but if you took Lani away I would leave, she has made such a difference to him, she is the only one who can encourage him to keep active, by going for a walk or doing some exercise, she is an amazing person all round she is just fantastic with him.’
5. Has having Visiting Angels as a care provider made a difference to yours and your Husbands life?
– ‘Yes, an enormous difference, to both of us I think. It gives me time to myself, I can meet my friend for lunch and I know he is in safe hands. The Angels even came whilst I was away visiting my family and someone was looking after my Husband full time during this. The carers are almost like Family.’

Do you need an Angel in your life?

Call: 01691 888558
Email: NorthShropshire@visiting-angels.co.uk