The big D word, dementia, has become as feared as the big C for cancer. It is an incredibly sad disease for the person who lives with it, and the family and the loved ones around her / him. To see the individual one knew so well, who was full of vitality, busy, and intelligent, dwindle before you is tough. Eventually you have to decide what is best for their safety and well being.
The Rye Medical Practice Patients Participation Group (PPG) has organised a talk by a medical consultant, especially knowledgeable about dementia, Dr. Mucci. It is on November 11, 2024, at 6.30 in The Hub on Rye Hill, TN31 7SQ.
The PPG believes it is important to have this discussion and for people to get as much information as they can should an individual close to them show any early signs. While presently we are told there is no cure as such, medical research suggest that there are some treatments that could slow down the progression of the disease down and so an early diagnosis is important.
The Alzheimer Society has a lot of information for family or friends who may have noticed any change in a person they know. They suggest that forgetting more as one gets older is mildly annoying but only a problem if it affects daily life. Changes such as forgetting names, being slower in processing information than before, misplacing a key, missing appointments, experiencing confusion with daily tasks can be a sign of dementia. Any change of behaviour, such as becoming depressed or irritable, becoming withdrawn and anxious as well as losing language are other signs to look out for. Alzheimer develops over time, with some symptoms worsening more quickly than others and it may eventually get to the stage where the closest member, along with the rest of the family, have to decide what is the best way forward for the ill person and their carer.
It is a minefield in terms of finding help, to navigate what is available in this situation. Apparently, the local authority can carry out an assessment of care needs and outline a care plan. This reporter has been involved with several longstanding friends succumbing to this disease and seen that the path the family have had to tread to get appropriate help was not easy, though once in the system much was provided, but it took a lot of patience. For those people who live on their own and with no family, there may not be anyone to fight for the best care.
The Alzheimer Society is certainly one of the first options to call to get personalised information as to what to look out for and give a range of support with advice. Phone: 0333 150 3456