✅ The right care for dementia ✅

1 in 3 people born in the UK this year will develop dementia in their lifetime

By the time you have finished reading this article an additional 50 people will develop dementia somewhere in the world. At a rate of one every three seconds, the rate of people developing dementia is growing at an unprecedented pace, with 58 million people worldwide currently living with dementia.

In the UK alone, there are around 900,000 people who have been diagnosed with Dementia, whilst 1 in 3 people born in the UK this year will develop dementia in their lifetime. By 2050 there will be over 1.6 million people who will have dementia. However, the real number of people who are affected by dementia is much larger, it doesn't just affect the individuals but also their loved ones, affecting millions of families with loved ones who require specialist dementia care and support to live a fulfilled life.

Some scary statistics right? But what does having "Dementia" really mean?

Dementia is not a specific disease but is rather a general term for the impaired ability to remember, think, or make decisions that interferes with doing everyday activities.

Alzheimer's disease accounts for 60-80% of cases. Vascular dementia, which occurs because of microscopic bleeding and blood vessel blockage in the brain, is the second most common cause of dementia. Those who experience the brain changes of multiple types of dementia simultaneously have mixed dementia. There are many other conditions that can cause symptoms of dementia, including some that are reversible, such as thyroid problems and vitamin deficiencies.

Dementia is caused by damage to brain cells. This damage interferes with the ability of brain cells to communicate with each other. When brain cells cannot communicate normally, thinking, behaviour and feelings can be affected.

What are the signs of dementia?

Signs of dementia can vary greatly. Examples include problems with:

• Short-term memory.
• Keeping track of a purse or wallet.
• Paying bills.
• Planning and preparing meals.
• Remembering appointments.
• Traveling out of the neighbourhood.

Many conditions are progressive, which means that the signs of dementia start out slowly and gradually get worse. If you or someone you know is experiencing memory difficulties or other changes in thinking skills, don't ignore them. See a doctor soon to determine the cause. Professional evaluation may detect a treatable condition. And even if symptoms suggest dementia, early diagnosis allows a person to get the maximum benefit from available treatments and provides an opportunity to volunteer for clinical trials or studies. It also provides time to plan for the future.

Care for Dementia?

"Choosing the best care for dementia is an important decision - which won’t just affect the individual with dementia but also loved ones - known as "the invisible second patients". If the loved one with dementia is a mother or father, it also rewires and reverses one of the most important connections in our lives. We've seen the overwhelmingly positive effects our carers can deliver when providing the right level of care to not only those diagnosed with Dementia but their families too"

- Indy Goraya, Director at Bluebird Care Solihull

What is important to note is that evidence shows an early diagnosis can be reassuring and empowering for adults with dementia and their families, and improve quality of life, by allowing them to plan for care and find emotional and mental health support.

Studies have shown that 85% of people with dementia would rather have care in their own home than go into a care home. When compared to a care home, there are a vast array of advantages. This spans across mental wellbeing, the health and safety of the loved on, cost efficiency, independence, and the progression of the disease.

Benefits of home care for people with dementia?

"From our experience, there is no doubt that the best care for anyone who has Dementia is home care. Being able to stay in the comfort of your own home, which in many cases is where a customer have lived for a significant amount of time, is imperative to providing a more comfortable and safer environment to deliver care"

- Indy Goraya, Director at Bluebird Care Solihull

Here are just some of the benefits of home care for people with Dementia:

• Maintenance of routine and independence
• A much safer environment meaning fewer hospital admissions
• The retention of a home environment allowing them to stay in a familiar atmosphere and retain key memories
• Allowing carers to come into the home and create meaningful relationships

Contact us today

There are a number of home care benefits for those diagnosed with Dementia that enable patients to live happier and healthier. With dementia home care, our team truly believe it is possible to live an enriched lifestyle with dementia – as we are helping to do day in day out to some of our current customers.

If you are interested in finding more about how our team at Bluebird Care Solihull can help with providing specialist care in relation to you or a loved one that may have been diagnosed with Dementia then please reach out to us by calling our team on 0121 803 6787 or sending us an email on solihull@bluebirdcare.co.uk.