We are becoming Dementia Friends
We are becoming Dementia Friends. Too many people with Dementia face social isolation. By learning about dementia and finding out how to help, we are part of a movement to make a difference. You too can become a Dementia Friend, find out more here:
If you would like to learn more, about how we can help your loved ones suffering with dementia, why not speak to one our care team or pop into our office for a coffee and a chat?
Contact us on 01483 222 852, guildfordandwoking@caremark.co.uk or using the form here.
What is Dementia?
Dementia is an umbrella term for a range of progressive conditions that affect the brain.
Each type stops a person’s brain cells (neurones) working properly in specific areas, affecting their ability to remember, think and speak.
Doctors typically use the word ‘‘dementia’’ to describe common symptoms – such as memory loss, confusion, and problems with speech and understanding – that get worse over time.
It can affect a person at any age but it’s more common in people over the age of 65.
There are over 200 subtypes of this disease. The most common are Alzheimer’s disease, vascular, Lewy body, frontotemporal and mixed dementia.
Symptoms
Memory problems
- increasing forgetfulness
- difficulty retaining new information
- getting lost in places that used to be familiar
- struggling with names
- misplacing things frequently
Cognitive ability
- difficulty understanding time and place, eg getting up in the middle of the night to go to work, even if they’re retired
- difficulty with choosing what to buy and paying when shopping
- struggling with decision-making and reasoning
- loss of interest in activities they used to enjoy
- restlessness, eg pacing, fidgeting and trying to leave the house
Communication
- struggling to find the right words
- repeating themselves often
- difficulty making and following conversation
- difficulty reading and writing
- becoming quieter and more withdrawn
- loss of interest in socialising
- loss of confidence
- changes in personality and behaviour
- mood swings, anxiety and depression
Although dementia has a common set of symptoms, each type presents itself differently, and people may have some or all of the symptoms. They may also have more than one type of dementia (‘mixed dementia’), with symptoms of each.