Bluebird Care Cambridge & Cambridge South supports World Alzheimer’s Day 2021

Bluebird Care Cambridge & Cambridge South is supporting World Alzheimer’s Day on Tuesday 21st September.

Bluebird Care Cambridge & Cambridge South is supporting World Alzheimer’s Day on Tuesday 21st September. The day is part of World Alzheimer Month and this year’s theme is, ‘Let’s talk about dementia’. The aim of the day is to raise awareness of dementia, understand its impact on people’s daily lives, challenge the stigma of dementia and the strategies to help people live comfortably with dementia.

Dementia is a worldwide challenge, with nearly 50 million people globally living with it. In the UK alone, there are 850,000 people with dementia. More than 40,000 people under 65 have dementia and 1 in 6 people over the age of 80 are affected.

Dementia is a general term for permanent degenerative mental ability which is sever enough to impact daily life. It is caused by damage to brain cells, this impairs the ability of the brain cells to connect with each other. Different regions of the brain are responsible for specific functions, so when an area is damaged that area is not able to carry out its normal function.

The most common type of dementia is Alzheimer’s Disease. One of the earliest symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease is memory loss as the memory region of the brain is often the first to become damaged.

Other symptoms include:

• Confusion
• Speech problems
• Impaired understanding of reasoning and judgement
• Decreased visual perception
• Reduced ability to focus and be attentive

Age, family history, genetics are all risk factors to dementia which we can’t change.

Dementia can also develop by the following conditions: side effects of medication, alcoholism, depression, thyroid problems, vitamin deficiencies, head injuries and cardiovascular illnesses. However, when these conditions are treated, the dementia symptoms may improve.

A key line of research also suggests that general healthy aging could help keep the brain strong and minimise the risk of Alzheimer’s developing. These measures include:

• A healthy diet to keep weight under control, reduce cholesterol, decrease blood pressure, lessen risk of diabetes, heart disease and stroke
• Regular exercise of the body and mind
• Reduction or elimination of smoking and alcohol intake
• Lower stress levels

Carolyn Dailey, Principal Director of Bluebird Care Cambridge & Cambridge South, commented:

“Many of our customers already have or may develop dementia. It is important that we raise awareness and work together to tackle dementia.

Our care workers are Dementia Friends and can undergo additional training to further their expertise and understanding of dementia.”

The Alzheimer’s Society is breaking the silence and stigma surrounding dementia and are sharing stories of people affected by dementia. To read these stories and find out more about World Alzheimer’s Day and dementia visit: https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-involved/world-alzheimers-month or call 0333 150 3456.

Bluebird Care is a national provider of care in the home, specialising in working with customers who live with dementia, physical disabilities and many other acute and chronic conditions. Bluebird Care work alongside their customers’ families, social services and the NHS to ensure that each person receives the care they need.

Bluebird Care offers a unique service of tailored care visits which range from anything from 30 minutes to full live-in support. As well as personal care they also help with meal preparation, welfare checks, shopping, social trips, visits to the hospital and provide extra support for post-discharge customers.

For more details contact Bluebird Care Cambridge & Cambridge South by calling 01954 212881, emailing cambridge@bluebirdcare.co.uk, or by visiting their website https://www.bluebirdcare.co.uk/cambridge-south-cambs