What is Dementia? 

The word was first used by Saint Isadore in 600ad, but it wasn’t until 1910 that a German Psychiatrist called Alois Alzheimer first diagnosed the term through his research. The definition is “a neurological condition that causes a person to lose the ability to think, remember and reason”. Today we know that ‘dementia’ is a cover-all term, and there are many different types of dementia - up to 200 types in fact - each as unique as the person they affect.

 In the UK, we currently have 944,000 people diagnosed with a form of dementia, and while there is currently no cure, there is thankfully a lot of research taking place, and early diagnosis is leading to better outcomes and treatment. Sadly, there is still a long way to go. 

When I was little, both my grandparents had dementia, although this was not ever diagnosed. My parents and their siblings looked after them and they didn’t ask for any help, they just cared for them. To this day I still don’t know how they managed it, but they just did. I can remember being asked to play games with both of them to entertain them, and as a child I was happy to oblige, I loved games, and I loved them. 

I have been lucky enough in my time to have spent so many years working with families and their loved ones who are living with dementia. I can’t imagine how scared and bewildering it must be to have a loved one who is diagnosed with dementia, or to receive the diagnosis yourself. I always try to put myself in the shoes of who I am meeting, and wonder how I would be feeling. What would reassure me in this situation? I always try my hardest to see the person for who they are, not what fate has dealt them, not as a diagnosis. Where did they work? What did they like to do in their spare time? What does their family setup look like? Who is important to them? If I had a diagnosis of dementia, how would I want to be cared for? What would I want? What would make my day better? 

With help, encouragement, kindness and love, we can see the person they are, not the person dementia has tried to take. We are incredibly fortunate to have the ongoing support of our Admiral Nurse team. They are our specialists in dementia care and support, named after Joseph “Admiral Joe” Levy, who founded the charity. They work directly with us, Dementia UK, and more importantly, you, to guide, inform and listen and be there when we need them the most. They are a vital ally in our fight with dementia. 

As always, the team and I are here at Avon Court to talk, guide, support and help in any way we can to make your loved one’s journey just that little bit better. Call us anytime for advice or options, or even just to find someone to listen, at Avonbourne Care Centre. Until next time, best wishes, Les.