Myth busting about Dementia

I didn’t think I knew anyone with dementia, how would you know? Is someone being forgetful, or do they live with dementia. I am forgetful all the time does this mean I have dementia?  The odds are you do or will know someone at some point. At any one time, one in fourteen people over 65 has dementia.

When I came into care I wanted to know much more and through the wonderful people at the Alzheimer’s Society I trained as a champion. I deliver free interactive one hour sessions to community and work groups to promote awareness.

There are myths that if busted will help our understanding and compassion.

1. It is not a natural part of ageing. Not everyone who grows old will develop dementia. Not everyone who develops dementia is old. Diagnosis have been as young as 20’s although this is very rare.
2. Dementia is caused by diseases of the brain. It’s a physical disease, imagine the brain is a collection of thousands of fairy lights, each representing a memory, skill or function. Imagine dementia is causing some of those lights to flicker, dim or switch off completely. For each person this will happen in a different order.
3. It’s not just about loosing your memory. Communication, forgetting words, motor skills such as using a knife and fork. Sequencing, for example putting on clothes. Changes in inhibition, maybe someone that was quite shy comes across outgoing. Vision, for example judging distances.
4. It is possible to live well. People with dementia may still be able to work, drive and have relationships. What they can do and how long for will depend on their particular circumstances. I’m not saying dementia doesn’t bring challenges, but despite these challenges it is still possible to live well with dementia.
5. There is more to the person. What does someone with dementia look like? Answer, like you and me. In the same way we look at someone with cancer or diabetes and see the person first, there is more to the person.

I hope this has given you some pause and thought, we are only scratching the surface. One of my favorite quotes talks a little to this subject.

‘I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.’ –Maya Angelou

If you have a group that would benefit from one of our free dementia friends sessions please get in touch.

Mark James

[email protected]

you can find out more at www.dementiafriends.org.uk