Dementia and Your Loved Ones

The population, on average, is getting older, and now that people are living longer, conditions such as dementia are becoming more common. There are currently around 750,000 people affected by dementia in the UK, and that number is expected to reach 1 million by the year 2021.

Dementia is a serious condition, and one that can be very difficult for both sufferers and their families to cope with. Fortunately, thanks to supported living arrangements, it is possible for people to maintain their independence, at least in the early stages of the disease. By making use of home support services it is possible to delay the advancement of symptoms, and enjoy a good quality of life. The following advice may help if you, or someone you know, is suffering from dementia.

Stay active – exercise will improve your physical fitness, and can help regulate your mood too.
Eat well – good nutrition is important for your physical and mental health.
Get regular check-ups – even if you are part of a supported living initiative, home support services are no substitute for regular attention from a medical professional. Check in with your doctor regularly.
Join a support group – having someone to talk to, that understands what you’re going through, can be invaluable
Keep up with your hobbies – keeping your mind active can do a lot towards keeping it healthy. Those who have mentally engaging hobbies tend to do better on tests of memory and reasoning ability than those who don’t stay busy in retirement.
Stay positive – if you’re a carer of someone with dementia, try to keep things simple for them, and remain positive. Getting frustrated, or being negative, can cause a lot of distress.
Avoid alcohol – drinking alcohol may offer a temporary respite, but it can have a negative impact on your health. Drinking should only be done in moderation – whether you are a dementia sufferer or a carer.

If you are a carer of someone that suffers from dementia, and you are struggling to cope, then don’t be embarrassed about asking for help. In addition to supported living aid for sufferers themselves, there are a lot of charities that aim to help carers. You may find that signing up for home support services will restore some independence for your relative, and will also give you the time you need to take a break and recharge your own batteries.

The Future for Dementia Sufferers

It’s unlikely that those who are suffering for dementia today will be able to benefit from any of the currently ongoing research, but there is some hope for the next generation. Recent research has found that early signs of dementia can be seen in the human brain ten to fifteen years before symptoms begin to appear. This gives hope that preventative treatments could be found.

The key, it seems, is identifying the issue early, before the disease has taken hold. The Wolfson Foundation recently donated 20 million pounds to Alzheimer’s research funds, and they are hopeful that a preventative treatment could be found soon.

This article was written by Amy Fowler on behalf of Voyage, who offer supported living and home support services.