World Alzheimer's Day!
The 21st September marks World Alzheimer's Day, This years theme is centred around post diagnosis support. Here, you can find out about some of the support available for you.
It’s September! The year seems to have flown by, and we are now on the cusp of Autumn with darker nights, and cosy evenings with hot drinks and blankets. At Home Instead, September is also special to us as we celebrate World Alzheimer’s month, with 21stSeptember being world Alzheimer’s day.
Did you know that one person is diagnosed with dementia every three minutes! This is partially put down to the population growing older and living longer. It can also be put down to a growing awareness of dementia. This fact is an amazing thing where once upon a time, dementia was not well known or talked about. This is why Alzheimer’s Awareness Month is so important, by simply talking about Alzheimer’s we raise awareness. Through the topics of conversations, we can then provide help, support, and advice to someone with a diagnosis. Even if this means that one person knows they are not alone, and finds one thing that will help them, then the purpose of Alzheimer’s month is a success.
Dementia is an umbrella term, which is a way of describing a collection of brain diseases and their symptoms, which include: memory loss, impaired judgement, personality changes, and an inability to perform daily activities. There are many types of Dementia, where Alzheimer’s Disease is the most common. This is why Alzheimer’s Awareness month is so important.
This year’s theme is ‘Know Dementia’, with a specific focus on post diagnosis support. Gaining a Dementia diagnosis can be a difficult and confusing time. You can find yourself in a sea of information and not know where to go or what to do.
The first thing you need to know is that you are not alone.There are many others with a diagnosis of Dementia, and a lot of support out there for all stages of a Dementia diagnosis journey. Dementia is like a fingerprint; it is individual to each person. Every single person with a diagnosis experiences Dementia differently. It is because of this that information can be so vast and varied.
One way you can gain some support after a diagnosis is by attending some Support or Social Groups. There are support groups that are singing groups, tea and coffee groups, dance groups, exercise groups all that provide support and a sense of camaraderie.
Below are some useful links for some Dementia Support Groups:
https://www.northamptonshire-carers.org/Event/activity-support-group-moulton-oct-23
https://www.northamptonshire-carers.org/pages/category/dementia-care-advice
Not every group will be to your liking, or you may feel that a social group is not the right option for you. But, to see so many groups also help to cement that you are not alone. However, you may still like some support. This could also be provided by your GP. If you have a Dementia nurse, or specialist they are always great help. Alzheimer’s UK also have support lines where you can call someone for a chat or some advice.
Sometimes in your diagnosis journey, the hardest thing is to reach out for help. This could be in the form of a day centre, a support and social group, or it could be reaching out to take your first step into Care support.
At Home Instead Northampton, we understand how daunting this first step can be. You have been independent for all your life; you may be a parent and have done it all and the idea of needing care yourself is a hard concept. We are not in the business of taking over your life and taking away your independence- in fact we promote your independence. Where you can, we will encourage you to continue your daily routines, activities that you enjoy and any aspect in your life where you want to remain independent. We simply provide a helping hand for when you may need it, with a friendly face and smile. The helping hand you may need may simply be to help with meal preparation, or with some companionship, it could be you need prompting to take medication. It could also be that you feel you need support to manage your daily personal care routine. The first step into care does not need to be scary, not of it is done right and with the right people. At Home Instead Northampton we match our clients with our Care Professionals to provide a base of common interests, background, personalities that will enable strong relationships to be built. These relationships then grow in time with trust and understanding.
It is something we are proud of; all our Care Professionals simply love to care. This is then reflected in the care they provide, and the relationships they build with their clients. At Home Instead Northampton, all our Care Professionals receive specialised Dementia training. This means they can fully support their clients who may have a diagnosis of Dementia. This also allows our clients living with a Dementia diagnosis to know they are in good, understanding, and knowledgeable hands.
In addition to this we really get to know our clients at every stage, and this is reflected in the Care Plan created and the support that is provided. This support may then change in time, where Dementia is progressive. But due to the strong relationships built with your Care Professional Team, and regular contact from the office team we will work with you to work out what support you want as time moves on.
It is our privilege to be able to support our clients, and to be part of their lives and for those living with Dementia, to be part of their Dementia journey. No matter the capacity, because at the heart of what we do is our great love and passion- a love to care. This is a passion that you will find in each member of our team, from the office to the amazing Care Professionals who complete our clients Care Visits.
If you would like to speak to a member of the team of what support we could provide to you following a Dementia diagnosis, please do not hesitate to call our office on 01604 211190.
