Dementia Awareness Week 2015

[enaid]

Dementia Awareness Week 2015 takes place this week until 23 May.
Dementia can happen to anyone and there's currently no cure. It can strip you of your memory, your relationships and your connection to the world you love, leaving you feeling isolated and alone.
Did you know?

• There are 850,000 people with dementia in the UK.
• This includes over 40,000 people with dementia under the age of 65.
• The number of people with dementia in the UK is forecast to increase to over 1 million by 2025 and over 2 million by 2051.
• Dementia is an issue that disproportionally affects women. Two-thirds of the people living with dementia in the UK are women and most family carers, as well as those paid to care for people with dementia, are women.

During January and March 2015, 864 calls relating to Dementia and Alzheimer’s were made to Lancashire police. Over the past 12 months approximately 3,000 incidents have been logged in Lancashire’s contact management centre identified as relating to an individual suffering dementia. Of these, 312 were classed as high risk missing from home.

The most common point of contact police officers and staff have with people with dementia is when they are experiencing a crisis. However, they may also be a victim, witness or perpetrator of crime. Effective partnership working, and improved knowledge and awareness are key to ensuring an appropriate police response in all situations.
Superintendent Andrea Barrow, Early Action, said:

"Over the past few years it is apparent that more and more people know someone affected by dementia. Health data confirms that this is set to continue. Therefore as a Constabulary we need to be ready to provide the best service and care to those affected."

The hashtags for Dementia Awareness Week are #DAW2015 and #DoSomethingNew.
What to do if someone with dementia goes missing

1) Call the police on 999 as soon as you realise that someone living with dementia is missing. Quick action is very important; the police will treat your call as urgent.


2) Have several copies of a recent, close-up photograph of the person to give to the police and anyone else who might be searching for them.


3) Have a written description of the person to pass onto the police. Include details of their appearance and any medication they might be taking.


4) Keep a list of places that the person may have worked, lived, visited frequently or socialised as they often try to head back to places they have known.


5) If the person has been reported as missing before, inform the police. A record of the person will already exist and can be updated, saving police time and enabling a faster search.


6) When the person returns try not to show them that you have been worried. If they have got lost, they may be feeling anxious themselves. Reassure them and quickly get them back into a familiar routine.


Alzheimers/Dementia Admin Support Volunteer

We are looking for volunteers' to assist the early action team in providing signposting to relevant agencies and organisations, for persons living with dementia/alzheimers.
Location: Rossendale
Hours: 3-6 per week, days and times will be arranged around individual's availability.
Minimum Age Requirement: 18
Application Form




http://www.lancashire.police.uk/camp...week-2015.aspx

[enaid]

Re: Dementia Awareness Week 2015

The above is just one of the police forces that are promoting this information, I am hoping all forces will have some information and help available on this subject. It is now as expected (but not prepared for) becoming a massive part of police work.
Following the advice above will help the police but there are measures that can be taken in the persons home that can help detect when a person has opened external doors etc and hopefully once the alarm has been raised either family or any designated person can get to the person quickly before the police are needed and with a lot less stress all round.
Bearing in mind a Dementia sufferer will often return to (or try to) return to places from years ago and may well have a very different landscape now, someone who knows of the persons past may well be a huge help in this situation.
Many Dementia sufferers are prone to falls and a simple pendant worn around the neck can be pressed if the person has fallen and can not get up without assistance. It works through the phone line and I can honestly say this was a godsend when my dad wore one. This only works within a few meters of the phone so is very much for inside use. There are also bed sensors that alerts when the person has gotten out of bed (this worked for my dad too) This early warning could mean the person didn't even leave the home and have the chance to get lost.
Just to add if you get in touch with your local council they should be able to give details of services to help, my local one is this one https://www.salford.gov.uk/hbrc.htm and all should have something similar in place,
There are many aids to help the elderly and especially Dementia sufferers remain in their home as long as feasibly possible,if it their wish then don't be afraid to ask for help to fulfil their wish although sometimes as I found asking is not quite enough, you may have to shout.

[Sparkie1723]

Re: Dementia Awareness Week 2015

Thanks for your posts enaid....thank you.
Sparkie

[PAWS]

Re: Dementia Awareness Week 2015

Thank you for that post Enid; some pretty startling statistics there. There is no doubt that we need more properly trained support workers and when it comes to authorities such as the police then they should be more aware of dementia especially the less obvious signs HOWEVER…..(isn’t there always an ‘however’) We as human beings have got to take more responsibility. I do not believe that we are less caring as individuals but ‘the family unit’ seems to be a thing of the past. Personally I would rather stick my head in the fire than look after my mother in law but I could not (and have not in the past) simply turn my back and expect it to be the responsibility of others to ensure she was safe and comfortably.

[enaid]

Re: Dementia Awareness Week 2015

Well as you may or may not know I lost my dad last year to Alzheimers, although me and my sister did all we thought we were able to, we both still feel guilty about lots of things in hindsight.
My MIL is in the process of being diagnosed as we speak a lady who has always been very able and fit, heartbreaking to see how things are panning out for her now.
I agree we should take more responsibility and the 'family unit' should be given all the help and information they need to cope with the situation. I do mean cope , as it is a very upsetting and frustrating time for all. When family feel they can no longer cope then there should be something in place to take over their role in a sympathetic and positive way with as little upset as possible all round.

[Tools]

Re: Dementia Awareness Week 2015

I am all for campaigns highlighting issues which affect citizens not just here in the UK but all around the world. However, whilst a one week campaign will bring it to the attention of people who were previously unaware, things like this should be subject to an ongoing year round campaign.

[PAWS]

Re: Dementia Awareness Week 2015

Well as you may or may not know I lost my dad last year to Alzheimers, although me and my sister did all we thought we were able to, we both still feel guilty about lots of things in hindsight.
My MIL is in the process of being diagnosed as we speak a lady who has always been very able and fit, heartbreaking to see how things are panning out for her now.
I agree we should take more responsibility and the 'family unit' should be given all the help and information they need to cope with the situation. I do mean cope , as it is a very upsetting and frustrating time for all. When family feel they can no longer cope then there should be something in place to take over their role in a sympathetic and positive way with as little upset as possible all round.

I have never known a person who has lost a loved one that does not have regrets. We are so busy just coping with the day to day challenges and the constant ‘firefighting’ it is not until later we have time to analyse what we did or did not do. Not only do we suddenly discover all sorts of help and advice, there is no shortage of people who are keen to give us the benefit of their expertise – often long after their help was needed. Naturally we assume that all the ‘other methods’ were the correct way and we should have done this and that.
Each case and indeed each individual is unique. No one knew your Dad as well as you and your sister. You and your Dad’s regular GP were the experts in this case. Everything else is opinion. The opinion of other people and professionals, specialists and organisations is a general cobbling together of ideas and dare I say that you could teach them all a thing or two. What I am trying to say is that the right or wrong way is relative to the situation and individual. You did the right thing in your situation.
The older I get the less perfect I realise I am. The more I berate myself for the things I did or did not do. The older I get the more disillusioned people I meet who think they are perfect. I think I would rather be bumbling old me who may not always do the right thing but will always do what I think is best and will do the least harm.