Increasing Dementia Awareness in Nottingham

Increasing Dementia Awareness in Nottingham

It is estimated that there are around 850,000 people living with dementia in the UK and this is projected to rise to 1.6 million by 2040*. As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, national charity Alzheimer’s Society saw a 4.1% decrease in dementia diagnosis rates between February 2020 and June 2020. This suggests that there are thousands of people in the UK living with dementia without a diagnosis. 

Alzheimer’s Society (whose vision is a world without dementia) campaigns to increase awareness of dementia and improve the lives of those living with dementia, and funds research to find a cure. It is therefore a charity that is very close to our hearts, here at Right at Home Nottingham North.

We are also dispelling three common myths in our blog below, and sharing information on what we are doing to increase dementia awareness in Nottingham. 

Myth one: Dementia is a disease 

• The terms ‘dementia’ and ‘Alzheimer’s’ are often used interchangeably but dementia is not a disease in its own right. 

• Dementia is caused by different diseases that affect the brain and Alzheimer’s disease is the most common of these. 

• There are lots of different types of dementia. Another common type is vascular dementia, which is caused by problems with blood supply to the brain.

Myth two: Dementia only affects memory loss  

• Whilst dementia often begins with short-term memory loss, dementia is actually the umbrella name for a group of symptoms. 

•These symptoms commonly include problems with memory, thinking, problem solving, language and perception. 

• Different types of dementia cause damage to different parts of the brain.

Myth three: After a dementia diagnosis, the only option is to move into a care home 

• If your loved one is diagnosed with dementia, with the right care and support they can continue living in the comfort of their own home. 

• In-home dementia care from a trained and trusted CareGiver can help alleviate the progression of symptoms. In addition, a regular routine and familiar home surroundings can reduce feelings of stress amongst people living with dementia. 

• Live-in care is also an option for those requiring 24-hour dementia care at home. Live-in care is where a CareGiver takes up residence in a Client’s home. This provides Clients and their families, reassurance that someone else is in the house. 

• A CareGiver can also identify any potential issues and ensure the home environment remains safe. 

If you’re based in Nottingham and require support caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia, contact our local office team for information on how we can help. You can also read more about dementia homecare on our Alzheimer’s and Dementia service page.

At Right at Home Nottingham North, we have been raising awareness and fundraising for Alzheimer’s Society since our inception in 2021. Our Managing Director Anne is a Dementia Friends champion. Dementia Friends is an Alzheimer’s Society initiative created to change people’s perceptions of dementia. It aims to transform the way the nation thinks, acts and talks about dementia.

If you run a business in Sherwood, Woodthorpe, Carlton, Arnold, Aspley, Wollaton or any surrounding areas and would like your staff to attend a Dementia Friends information session, please get in touch with us at Right at Home Nottingham North. We’d be more than happy to deliver a Dementia Friends session for your workplace.

Here at Right at Home Nottingham North all of our CareGivers are trained and experienced in supporting clients with Dementia and Alzheimer’s as well as team members who have advanced specialist knowledge in this field.

For more information on how we can support you and your family with dementia homecare in Nottingham, please speak to a member of our friendly office team on 0115 666 8640

Other useful resources: 

• Alzheimer’s Society’s guide to dementia risk factors and prevention

• Lewy Body Society UK – a registered charity in England and Wales 

• Dementia UK – a registered charity in England, Wales and Scotland

*Source: Alzheimer’s Society website