Tag Archives: alzheimers
Why bus drivers are being taught about dementia
By Jane Dreaper Health correspondent, BBC News
Thousands of bus drivers around Britain are being given special training so they can help passengers with dementia.
Drivers Chris Peter and Krystyna Ryan took part in the dementia awareness training
It’s part of an initiative by the Prime Minister which is trying to encourage everyone to be more aware of the needs of older people who have dementia, to help them in their daily lives.
I watched a training session at a First Group depot in an industrial part of north-west London. It is home to more than 100 buses, and a work base for 300 drivers.
Upstairs, 11 members of staff gather for what proves to be a hard-hitting couple of hours. It begins with a simple memory test.
The trainer, Keith Sheard, promises the drivers an easy exercise. He asks them to draw a picture of both sides of a 1p coin, with as much detail as they can remember.
He jokes: “Dead easy this – you handle these coins every day!”
Over time, the dementia will come back and take everything from you.”
Keith Sheard Trainer
The Positive Aspects of Care Homes In Dementia Support
Guest blog from JasonTucker
Often family members can feel guilty
When a person is diagnosed with dementia it has an enormous impact on their family. Many of those who suffer with dementia are elderly and may well have been caregivers throughout their adult life as parents and grandparents, but as the condition takes hold the roles become reversed as they need increasing amounts of care.
At first family members will often try to provide this care themselves, along with help from dementia support services and charities. Dementia is a multi-faceted condition and symptoms include memory loss, impaired reasoning and communication skills as well as a general struggle with day to day activities. Because of these effects sufferers often become disorientated, frightened and can sometimes become violent, risking harm to themselves and others. As the condition progresses the level of care required can become too much for even the most devoted and patient family members. At this point seeking long-stay care in a residential or nursing home can be the best move.
‘Christmas to remember’ campaign aims to raise awareness of dementia
‘Christmas to remember’ campaign aims to raise awareness of dementia
The ‘Christmas to remember’ campaign was launched by actress Carey Mulligan and the Prime Minister at Downing Street this morning. It is a joint digital campaign from Number 10, Department of Health and Alzheimer’s Society. It aims to raise awareness of dementia and encourage people to take appropriate action if they spot signs of the condition in family or friends over the festive season.
