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View RSS feedAlzheimer's disease and dementia
Dementia is a term used to describe various disorders involving a loss of brain function, such as thinking, memory, reasoning and language. In the UK it affects around 700,000 people and one in five people over the age of 80 years old.
There are over 100 different types of dementia. The most common types are Alzheimer's Disease, vascular dementia and dementia with Lewy bodies.
Signs and symptoms
Symptoms of dementia can include:
- Problems with short term memory
- Lack of concentration
- Confusion
- Problems with speech and understanding
- Self-neglect
- Wandering
It is important to remember that there could be many other reasons for any of the above symptoms, and having any of them does not necessarily indicate dementia. If you are worried, speak to your GP.
Who is at risk?
There is no single factor that has been identified as causing dementia, however the following factors are thought to contribute:
- Age - This is the most significant risk factor for dementia. It is possible to develop dementia early in life but the chances of this increase dramatically as we get older. One in five people over the age of 80 years old has a form of dementia. One in three people over the age of 95 years old has a form of dementia.
- Gender - Women are more likely to develop Alzheimer's Disease than men, however vascular dementia is more common in men.
- Genetic inheritance - There are cases where dementia is clearly inherited from one generation to the next. However, in the majority of cases, the effect of inheritance seems to be small. If a parent or relative has dementia, your own chances of developing it are only slightly higher than if there were no previous cases in the family.
- Medical history - Specific conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Huntington's Disease and Down's Syndrome can increase the chances of developing dementia. Conditions that affect the heart can increase the risk of developing vascular dementia. This includes high blood pressure, diabetes and stroke.
For further information about the possible causes of dementia and how you can reduce your risk of developing the condition, you may find the Alzheimer's Society factsheet Am I at risk? and their guide Be head strong helpful.
Difficulty in making decisions
If you have dementia you may find it difficult to make decisions, and may want to plan ahead in case you are unable to make important decisions for yourself in the future. If you care for someone with dementia, this could also be an issue that causes concern.
The Mental Capacity Act is a new law that is designed to help. The Act intends to protect people who lose the capacity to make their own decisions. It will:
- Allow you, while you are still able, to appoint someone (such as a trusted relative or friend) to make decisions on your behalf once you lose the ability to do so. This will mean that they can make decisions on your health and personal welfare, as well as on your financial matters.
- Ensure that decisions that are made on your behalf are in your best interests. The Act provides a checklist of things that decision makers must work through.
- Introduce a Code of Practice for people such as healthcare workers who support people who have lost the capacity to make their own decisions.
To find out more, see our section on the Mental Capacity Act, read the leaflet Making decisions about your health, welfare and finances ... Who decides when you can't?, or visit the Ministry of Justice website.
If you have no friends or family to support you when serious decisions are taken in your life, the Act has created a new service called the Independent Mental Capacity Advocate (IMCA) service. Its purpose is to help vulnerable people who lack capacity and are facing important decisions made by the NHS and Local Authorities about serious medical treatment and changes of residence, for example moving to a hospital or care home. For more information about this service in Newcastle, contact the IMCA service using the details given below.
Local help and support
If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with dementia, it can be a very worrying and upsetting time. There is a lot of advice and support available to help you live with the condition and maintain your quality of life. The following organisations will be very useful:
Alzheimer's Society
The Alzheimer’s Society is the UK’s leading care and research charity for people with all forms of dementia, their families and carers. They offer support and advice on all forms of dementia and sources of help. They also produce a wide range of factsheets, which are available to download from their website.
The Newcastle branch offers a wide range of services including:
- Day Care - the day care centre is open 6 days per week and provides support and stimulation for people with dementia by offering a range of activities throughout the day.
- Carer Support - Free and confidential information, advice and support for people who are involved in caring for someone with dementia, including support groups and one to one support.
- Information and Education - Information talks on a range of topics, a drop-in club, newsletter etc.
For further information about any of these services, contact the Newcastle head office of the Alzheimer's Society using the details given below, or visit their website.
Dementia Care Partnership
The Dementia Care Partnership was founded in 1993 to develop services for people with dementia and their carers and is the largest specialist dementia service provider in Newcastle upon Tyne, based at the Bradbury Centre. Services include:
- Home Support Service - This service can provide help with shopping, housework, befriending and personal care such as bathing, dressing and preparing meals.
- Day Activity Services - Offers the opportunity to join various clubs including photography, singing and computing.
- Independent Supported Living Houses - Supported tenancies are offered in partnership with housing departments associations.
- Residential Short Term Breaks - Offers carers the chance to have their relatives cared for while they have a much needed rest.
- Carers Support - Groups which offer information, emotional support and the opportunity to share experiences with other carers. One to one visits, training, support and advocacy are available, as well as workshops by professionals giving information on legal matters, benefits etc. They also arrange social events, pamper days and outings.
The Bradbury Centre has a cafe/restaurant, hairdressers, health and fitness room and an information technology room as well as other facilities.
For further information about any of these services, contact the Dementia Care Partnership using the details given below, or visit their website.
Research
The North East branch of the Dementias & Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Network (NE-DeNDRoN) is the local research network for people with dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's Disease, Huntingdon's Disease and motor neurone disease. The network covers the North East region and is developing a Regional Case Register that will include people with dementia and Parkinsons who have expressed an interest in taking part in research. This will be an invaluable resource for doctors and researchers to recruit people more quickly and to improve the research process. To find out more, contact the NE-DeNDRoN Research Office using the details given below, or visit their website.
Information in other languages
The Alzheimer's Society has produced an information leaflet for carers of people with dementia in the following languages: Bengali, Chinese, Farsi, Greek, Gujarati, Hindi, Italian, Polish, Punjabi, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Turkish, Urdu, and Vietnamese. Contact their Information Team on telephone number 020 7306 0804, or email enquiries@alzheimers.org.uk for a free copy.
Other useful information
'Alzheimer100' project
Alzheimer100 is a project that aims to come up with creative solutions to the challenges presented by dementia. The project was part of Dott 07 (Designs of the time 2007), which was a year of community projects based in the North East that explored how design could make a positive difference to our daily lives.
The Alzheimer100 project was led by people with dementia, their carers, service providers and experts in the field. These groups worked together to tell their stories and to design new services and products. For more information, visit the Alzheimer100 website, or contact the project using the details given below.
at dementia website
The at dementia website aims to provide user-friendly information about assistive technology for people with dementia. It explains about the kinds of devices that can help support people with dementia and their carers, and points people in the right direction for further information and advice. The site includes a product database of assistive technology devices, and information on many of the issues that relate to obtaining and using assistive technology with people with dementia.
For further information, contact the team using the details given below, or visit the website.
'Dementia: supporting people with dementia and their carers' booklet
NICE (the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence) and SCIE (the Social Care Institute for Excellence) have produced a booklet called Dementia: supporting people with dementia and their carers. It has been written for people with dementia and their carers, and aims to help you understand:
- what support and treatment you can expect to be offered, including drugs and other therapies;
- the services that are available to help people with dementia, including health and social care services; and
- how families and carers may be able to support people with dementia and get support for themselves.
You can get individual copies of the booklet free of charge by contacting the Patient Information Centre on telephone number 0191 256 3090, or by emailing paul.fairbairn@nmht.nhs.uk.
Helpcard for people with dementia
The Alzheimers Society have produced a helpcard for people with dementia to use and carry with them. In case of emergency, this lets other people know that the person carrying it has dementia, or memory problems, and lists contact details for them.
You can obtain a Helpcard Pack by contacting Phillipa Hobson at the Alzheimers Society on telephone numbers 01904 636076 or 07841 368 624, or by email at phobson@alzheimers.org.uk.
'Who cares? Information and support for the carers of people with dementia' booklet
This booklet has been developed by the Department of Health with the assistance of Help the Aged, Age Concern England, the Alzheimer's Society, The Princess Royal Trust for Carers, Dementia Voice and the South London and Maudsley NHS Trust. To read a copy of the booklet, click here.
'Worried about your memory?' guide
This guide has been produced by the Alzheimer's Society. They have launched a public information campaign to raise awareness of dementia, its symptoms and the importance of getting an early diagnosis. The campaign will prompt and help people to consider if their forgetfulness, or that of a friend or relative, is due to just poor memory or the beginning of a medical problem and encourage them to seek medical advice.
To read a copy of the guide click here, or contact the Alzheimer's Society using the details given below. To read more about the campaign, visit the Alzheimer's Society website.
'Getting the best from neurological services' guide
This guide has been produced by the Neurological Alliance and is for people affected by conditions of the brain, spine and nervous system. The guide highlights what support is available, if you need it, and gives a comprehensive overview of the services that you may be in touch with if you have a long-term neurological condition, such as dementia.
To read a copy of the guide, click here. For a paper copy of the guide, call telephone number 0113 254 5315, or email zawar.patel@dh.gsi.gov.uk, and quote reference 280484.
Other useful organisations
The Patient Information Centre has a searchable database of over 17,000 health resources in more than 60 languages. Visit the website to search the database.
Age Concern's Information Guide What to expect as you get older
Please note - The content on this website is provided for general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other health care professional. If you are feeling unwell, make an appointment to see your GP or contact NHS Direct. In an emergency, dial 999.
Contact Information
Alzheimer100
c/o Designs of the time 2007, The Robert Stephenson Centre, Sussex Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 3PD.
Telephone : 07798 611 607.
Email : hello@alzheimer100.co.uk
Alzheimers Society
St Margaret's Centre, Heighley Street, Scotswood, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE15 6AR.
Telephone : 0191 274 2727, Telephone Helpline : 0845 300 0336, Fax : 0191 274 6777.
Email : alznewcastle@aol.com
AT Dementia
Trent Dementia Services Development Centre, 9 Newarke Street, Leicester, LE1 5SN.
Telephone : 0116 257 5017, Fax : 0116 254 3983.
Email : info@trentdsdc.org.uk
Dementia Care Partnership
The Bradbury Centre, Darrell Street, Brunswick Village, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE13 7DS.
Telephone : 0191 217 1323, Fax : 0191 236 5778.
Email : bradburycentre@dementiacare.org.uk
Dementias & Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Network (NE-DeNDRoN)
NE-DeNDRoN Research Office, St Nicholas Hospital, Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 3XT.
Telephone : 0191 223 2740, Fax : 0191 223 2744.
Email : dendron@ntw.nhs.uk
IMCA Service
c/o Skills for People, Key House, Tankerville Place, Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 3AT.
Telephone : 0191 281 7322.
Email : terri.clibery@skillsforpeople.org.uk
Article last updated October 24, 2008 8:26 am
