If your loved one has recently been diagnosed with dementia, or you’ve noticed a change in their personality and want to understand more about the disease, it’s important to know the positive impact early intervention can have on them.
In this article, we outline some of the facts and myths around dementia and how dementia therapy at a dedicated day centre can have huge benefits.
Dementia facts you need to know
- Dementia can have an effect on an individual’s memory, mood, thinking, perception, language and problem-solving abilities.
- According to the Alzheimer’s Society, in the UK, there are over 850,000 people living with dementia.
- There are various different types of dementia, with Alzheimer’s disease being the most common.
- Dementia day care can initially seem expensive, however, many of our members will be either fully or partly funded by social services.
- Regular social engagement and external stimulation can help to slow disease progression.
- Visiting a dementia day centre actually doubles the amount of time the individual will be able to stay at home living with the illness rather than going into a care home.
- Whilst not everyone will follow the same dementia journey, common symptoms include memory loss, disorientation, and a difficulty to perform daily tasks.
- There is no prevention for dementia, however, research has shown that a healthy lifestyle including diet, fitness and staying socially active can have a positive effect on the chance of getting dementia early.
Read more dementia facts here >>
Dementia myths uncovered
Myth: Once an individual is diagnosed with dementia, there is nothing that can be done.
Fact: It’s true that dementia is incurable, however, research has shown that it can definitely be slowed down. From our years of experience dealing with individuals who have dementia, we believe strongly that with regular support this is true.
Myth: Everyone will get dementia in their life, it’s a normal part of ageing.
Fact: This is not true, in fact, only 10-20% of individuals over the age of 65 will be diagnosed with dementia.
Myth: You can only be diagnosed with dementia when you’re over 65 years old.
Fact: Whilst this age has a higher chance of getting dementia, you may be surprised to hear that in fact over 42,000 people in the UK that are under 65 have been diagnosed with the disease.
Why is dementia therapy beneficial?
Having the correct support and dementia therapy regularly can assist in managing some of the symptoms of the disease.
Our main dementia day centre in Devon has proven this research. Putting into practice key dementia therapy techniques has provided families with important feedback about the disease and the deterioration of their loved one.
The Ness Shed, which opened in May 2019, has given us the chance to explore new techniques, and allows our members to participate in activities that resonate most with their own backgrounds or interests.
Our dementia therapy techniques are never a ‘one size fits all’ approach, as we understand that everyone diagnosed with the disease will deal with it in different ways. Some individuals will struggle more with their memory loss than others, whilst confidence and physical mobility can also become progressively worse.
The main areas that dementia therapy helps with are:
- Mobility & exercise
- Confidence
- Speech
- Memory
- Engagement with others
If you want to read more about how early intervention is key to slowing down the deterioration of the disease, click here.
Why choose Atlas for dementia therapy?
We have options for individuals at every stage of the disease; if your loved one is not ready to visit a day centre then we offer specialist home enablement, allowing our carers to visit and provide care and support in the comfort of their own home.
Alternatively, for those that require support more often, The Ness Dementia Centre allows individuals to maintain social connections as well as receive expert therapy with bespoke plans to support them.
Lastly, our newest service, The Ness Shed, provides individuals with shorter classes alongside trained enablers, to take part in activities such as woodwork and pottery.
Did you know, we were recently awarded bronze in The Memory Lane Outstanding Care Awards! Keep up to date with our achievements on our Facebook page or read our reviews here.
Read more about our centres and how they are changing perceptions of day care here >>
Book a free trial at our dementia day centre!
If you recognise the importance of early intervention and the positive effect it can have on someone living with dementia, we would recommend booking a free trial at either The Ness Shed or The Ness Dementia Centre.
Simply, get in touch via our contact form here, or call our team a call on 01626 774 799.
*https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/about-us/news-and-media/facts-media