A Few Things to Know About Dementia and Alzheimer’s
Receiving a Dementia or Alzheimer’s diagnosis can be very scary for both the person and their loved ones. I hope that this post gives an awareness of some of the symptoms and treatments available and some information about Dementia and Alzheimer’s. Sometimes understanding what to expect can make it a little easier to know what to do next. Living with Dementia is all about continuing to create a life worth living, staying well and engaged, reaching out for support to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Here at the Happy Healing Hut, we want to support people living with Dementia, their loved ones and carers. At the Happy Healing Hut, we can provide friendship, a listening ear, a few laughs, reassurance and the all- important empowerment for you to continue to grow as a person and continue to engage in your life and the local community. We are a nurse-led service and our Well-being Personal Companions are committed, compassionate professionals.
One of our successful service is The Meeting Place at the Traction Athletic Club in Aldershot, and have plans for other areas too, here we socialise as a group, have a few light refreshments, go for walks in the grounds, do chair based exercises, laughter yoga, listen to music and play games. We have invited a choir leader to come along every other week from the ‘Singing Works’ Community and Memory Choir to teach us how to sing a few popular songs.
We have set up a YouTube channel to capture our fun, so that people know about our group and they can come along and join in. This is a place where everyone can take part and belong. We also have a Face Book page where anyone living with dementia, loved ones and carers can find each other for much-needed support and encouragement. Lisa our Head of Volunteering keeps an eye on the messages and is always at hand with support, encouragement and information.
The information below might be useful.
The difference between Dementia and Alzheimer’s
Dementia is the term used to describe a wide variety of conditions that cause deterioration of the brains functions. Alzheimer’s is simply the most common type of Dementia diagnosis.
Other types of Dementia include:
- Vascular Dementia (second most common)
- Mixed Dementia (approximately 10% of dementia diagnosed)
- Levy body Dementia (approximately 10% of dementia diagnosed)
- Fronto-temporal Dementia
- Parkinsons
- Korsakoff’s Syndrome (alcohol related) Common symptoms of Dementia Dementia symptoms and progression of symptoms vary depending on the type of Dementia diagnosed.
Your GP or Consultant is the best person to advise about specific symptoms, that are associated with the type of dementia diagnosis that has been made. However, there are a few common symptoms of Dementia that are worth knowing about.
Memory loss: Almost all types of Dementia will cause memory loss, especially short term memory. This can also impact the ability to process thoughts and speech, which can be very frustrating and distressing.
Emotional difficulties: Restless and feeling anxious or depressed, can result in behaviour that may be unexpected and difficult to manage. Sometimes these symptoms will lead to withdrawal from social activities.
Sleeping problems: Having difficulty getting to sleep, staying asleep, waking up very early and napping during the day is relatively common.
Disorientation: Loosing track of time and space, forgetting the day and year, may all cause feelings of disorientation.
Hygiene: Finding it difficult to manage personal care
Diet and Eating: Remembering to eat or drink regularly
Essential activities: Forgetting to go shopping for food and essentials, attend appointments and managing day to day activities.
There are many ways to help combat the above challenges, getting support to find out what works best is an important step to making life a little easier.
How is Dementia diagnosed?
When any symptoms of Dementia are present it is important to visit a GP or another medical professional for advice. Early diagnosis can increase the range of treatments available to slow the progression of symptoms. Dementia symptoms are normally assessed by a GP who may carry out some basic diagnostic tests to rule out all other underlying causes. To diagnose dementia a GP or practice nurse will usually start- with, a few simple cognitive tests. Once a Dementia diagnosis is suspected, GP’s may then refer patients on to a memory clinic for further assessment.
Medications for Dementia treatment
There are a wide range of medications that are prescribed to slow down Dementia symptoms and address emotional difficulties. Common medications for Dementia include:
Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors, usually prescribed for Alzheimer’s, Parkinsons and Lewy body Dementia. May cause nausea and loss of appetite, these symptoms normally decrease relatively quickly and often disappear completely after the first 2 weeks.
Memantine (Namenda), usually prescribed for Alzheimer’s, Lewy body Dementia and Vascular Dementia. May cause headaches, dizziness and constipation, these symptoms normally decrease relatively quickly and often disappear completely after the first 2 weeks.
Medications to help manage emotional difficulties caused by Dementia include:
Risperidone, usually prescribed for Alzheimer’s. Haloperidol, usually prescribed for Alzheimer’s and Vascular Dementia.
Antidepressants, there are various types of antidepressants that can be prescribed for different types of Dementia.
Complementary treatments for Dementia
There are a number of treatments that can help to slow down symptoms of Dementia and make the symptoms easier to manage. Normally these treatments will be offered alongside a medication regime.
Talking treatments for Dementia
Talking treatments may be provided on a one-to-one basis and in group sessions. Talking treatments for Dementia include: Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST), may help with mild to moderate symptoms of Dementia. CST takes place in a group session, with various activities and exercises that aim to stimulate different parts of the brain.
Cognitive Rehabilitation, may help individuals diagnosed Dementia cope better with every day activities. Usually Cognitive Rehabilitation takes place with a medical professional who has received specific training and a support person, who may be a carer, relative or friend.
Life Story Work and Reminiscence, this type of therapy requires a support person, this can be a carer, friend or relative. No specific training is required to support someone living with Dementia with Life Story Work and Reminiscence. During Reminiscence therapy individuals are encourage to talk about their life and memorable occasions. During Life Story Work individuals are encouraged and supported to create a ‘life book’. This will include photographs, letters and any other memorabilia that helps to describe the their ‘life story’. This type of therapy is especially helpful for improved mood and increased feelings of wellbeing. Our BeHappy@Home service use this supportive therapy at home.
Dementia Charities
Dementia UK 0800 888 6678 9am to 9pm, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, Saturday to Sunday Alzheimer’s Society 0333 150 3456 9am to 5pm, Thursday and Friday 10am to 4pm, Saturday and Sunday
Carers UK 0808 808 7777 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday
The Happy Healing Hut works closely with Dementia-friendly Hampshire Support for people living with Dementia and their families in Hampshire.
The Happy Healing Hut CIC
Here at the Happy Healing Hut we understand that it is often distressing to experience symptoms of Dementia and often challenging caring for someone who is diagnosed with Dementia. We are working with Dementia-friendly Hampshire, creating meeting places for adults living with dementia and other conditions, their carers and for people who would like to have somewhere safe, caring, friendly, social and fun, to visit on a weekly basis.
The Happy Healing Hut provide a Behappy@home™ service and can arrange home support and companionship for people who are living with Dementia and their loved ones. Our Wellbeing Personal Companions are confident and competent and follow a code of conduct and they are committed to offering the best care and support possible.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you are struggling in any way. Tel: 01420-82705