This week is dementia awareness week and people are being encouraged to share what they’re doing on social media using the hashtags #DoSomethingNew and #DAW2015.
Dementia awareness week runs between 17-23 May and the Alzheimer’s Society has put together a few ideas of different things people can try to do something new:
- Try out a new recipe be ambitious and try something different to your usual cooking style
- Sign up for a language class – many places offer classes to help you learn a range of languages, or you can often find free online courses
- Find a new sport or exercise to try out for the first time – look for a class you haven’t done at the gym before, or get your friends out to play a group game in the park
- Make plans for that big trip you’ve always wanted to go on – you might not be quite ready to go yet, but choose a date and get things moving
- Get a new hairstyle (or colour) – many salons offer free or cut price cuts to help with training
- Visit somewhere you’ve never been before either close to home or further afield
Action for People has a great directory where you can search for organisations that can help support you, a friend or family who may be suffering from dementia or have other memory problems. Search our directory here:
[button link=”http://www.actionforpeople.org.uk/searchabledirectory/wpbdp_category/memory-services/” size=”large” bg_color=”#b4c327″]SEARCH DIRECTORY FOR MEMORY SUPPORT[/button]
Dementia Awareness Week – Podcasts and Twitter chats
During Dementia Awareness Week (1824 May 2015) the National Skills Academy are publishing a series of daily podcasts in which a panel of experts will explore key dementia care issues.
The themes and topics in each podcast will be explored further during live daily twitter chats. Dementia experts, including UCL Partners and NHS Employers, will be taking part to debate the issues and answer your questions.
The podcast recordings will be available from 9am every day with the live twitter chat following between 12.30pm and 1.30pm. To listen to the podcasts, simply click the ‘Register here’ links below and well send the links to the daily episodes direct to your inbox.
Dementia Awareness – Monday 18th May
The first podcast provides an overview of dementia. There are around 800,000 people with dementia in the UK; estimates suggest that around 400,000 people have dementia but do not know it. The podcast will help listeners develop a practical knowledge and understanding of dementia and help them learn how to interact with people by developing an understanding of what does and doesnt help. Listen to the podcast.
Advance Care Planning – Tuesday 19th May
This podcast looks at advance care planning and when it should occur. Discover some of the key challenges and benefits as we discuss a real life case study. Register here
Dementia Friendly Hospitals – Wednesday 20th May
The third podcast looks at dementia friendly hospitals. Hear what you can do to make your hospital more dementia friendly and listen to best practice examples from people who have led work in their areas. Register here
Working with Care Homes – Thursday 21st May
Todays podcast looks at partnership working with care homes. Listen in as we explore how organisations are working together to avoid unplanned admissions and crises. Register here
Life after Diagnosis – Friday 22nd May
The fifth podcast considers life after diagnosis. Hear about ways to improve care following a diagnosis of dementia and explore resources, products and organisations that can help you, including My Brain Book, the Alzheimers Society, Sporting Memories and OOMPH. Register here
The word dementia describes a set of symptoms that may include memory loss and difficulties with thinking, problem-solving or language.
Dementia is caused when the brain is damaged by diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease or a series of strokes. Dementia is progressive, which means the symptoms will gradually get worse.
For details about the symptoms of dementia visit www.nhs.uk
If you have any concerns or are worried about your memory, please speak to your GP.
For more information about dementia awareness week 2015 visit www.alzheimers.org.uk