Q&A with Dementia Experts at Bluebird Care Stamford and Rutland

Leisa answers your dementia-related questions, providing some insight into the condition and how you can help a loved one who lives with dementia.

Leisa MacKenzie, Owner and Director of home care provider Bluebird Care Stamford and Rutland, has years of experience and expertise in providing high quality home care to people living with dementia.

Q: What is the difference between Alzheimer’s disease and dementia?

A: People often confuse the terms ‘dementia’ and ‘Alzheimer’s disease’. Dementia is the name given to a specific group of diseases which all cause a serious decline in the functioning of the brain.  Whereas Alzheimer’s disease refers to one specific type of dementia and is the most common form.

Q: Is dementia an inevitable part of getting older?

A: Age does not cause dementia, although the risk does significantly increase with age. Dementia can affect younger adults as well as older people.  Around 17,000 people under the age of 65 years have a form of dementia. About a quarter of people between the ages of 70 and 79 years are also affected.

Q: What are the main symptoms of dementia?

A: Although the symptoms can differ from person to person, it is vital that you seek medical help if you or a loved one experiences any of the below symptoms. There is no cure for dementia, but if you catch it early the progression of the disease can be slowed, and you can receive the appropriate care required.

The main symptoms include:

• More frequent memory loss, forgetful of familiar people, places, or recent events
• Slower than usual thinking speed and difficulty finding the right words
• Periods of mental confusion
• Difficulty understanding or making decisions
• Impaired reasoning, inability to make judgements, plan or carry out tasks that require concentration
• Changes in personality or mood, disinhibited behaviour
• Increased apathy or lack of interest in their usual activities
• Withdrawn due to a loss of confidence or inability to manage everyday tasks and communication
• Hallucinations, hearing or seeing things that others do not
• Loss of sense of time, people, places

Q: How do you care for someone living with dementia?

A: At Bluebird Care Stamford and Rutland, we can provide experienced staff to help those living with dementia to maintain their quality of life while remaining in their own homes. We do this by creating specialised dementia care plans with our customers. This might include:

• Reminding or helping you to take your medicines to manage your symptoms
• Support with bathing and/or dressing to keep you looking your best
• Catheter care and continence management to maintain your dignity and comfort
• Help to establish a regular exercise routine to improve mood and mobility and to strengthen muscles
• Making sure you have plenty of fluids and a balanced diet with enough fresh fruit and vegetables and fibre to keep you healthy and avoid constipation
• Assisting with routine household chores and shopping so your home life is as you would like it to be
• Companionship, or helping you to be involved in social activities.

Our services provide the support and care people living with dementia need to get them and their loved ones through the difficult days.

For more details on the support available from Bluebird Care Stamford and Rutland, please visit: https://www.bluebirdcare.co.uk/stamford-rutland/contact-us