(Published 21 September 2023)
What is World Alzheimer’s Day?
Thursday 21st September marks World Alzheimer’s Day – a global effort to raise awareness and challenge the stigma around Alzheimer’s and other dementia.
Why is it important to mark World Alzheimer’s Day?
Dementia is one of the biggest healthcare challenges we face, in fact, the World Health Organisation estimates that there are over 55 million people worldwide living with the condition, with nearly 10 million diagnosed each year.
World Alzheimer’s Day gives people the opportunity to share their experiences about Alzheimer’s and to raise awareness about this life-changing condition.
How you can join in with World Alzheimer’s Day
Simply by creating a social media post using the hashtag #WorldAlzheimersDay on 21st September, you can engage with this very important campaign.
Understanding Alzheimer’s
What is Alzheimer’s?
Alzheimer’s disease is a physical illness which damages a person’s brain.
This eventually causes dementia.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia.
Defined by the Alzheimer’s Society
What are symptoms?
It is important to remember that everyone experiences dementia differently. However, the most common symptoms include, but are not limited to, memory loss, difficulty when making decisions, misperception/hallucinations, communication problems, confusion and mood changes.
Why is it important to get an early diagnosis?
An early diagnosis can greatly help those living with the condition to understand what type of dementia they have and what support is available to them. An early diagnosis will also help families/loved ones plan ahead for the future on important issues such as care, legal and financial matters.
What support is available to people living with the condition and their family/loved ones?
People living with dementia and their families/loved ones can get support from organisations such as the Alzheimer’s Society and Dementia UK.
The Alzheimer’s Society in particular has an impressive of array of resources available, including specialist dementia advisors, a detailed services directory and online communities to join
How we support people with dementia
Training – Our care teams are trained to help support people with dementia by our specialist training partner Training Now.
Innovation – To further enhance their knowledge and experience, Agincare and Training Now have developed a Level 3 Diploma in the Principles of Dementia Care.
Empathy – To gainer a greater, personal understanding of what life is like for those living with dementia, all our care teams undergo a one-day empathy workshop, led by Training Now
Care is the the heart of everything we do – The happiness and quality of life for the people we care for will always be our priority.
Look at this great World Alzheimer’s Day poster made by the care team at Naseby Care Home in Christchurch, Dorset.
Learning more about Alzheimer’s
Below we have compiled a handful of external resources that may be helpful in understanding the personal experiences of people living with dementia and their family/loved ones.
Alzheimer’s Society YouTube Channel
As one of the definitive voices on Alzheimer’s, do check out the Alzheimer’s Society’s YouTube channel for lots of great content.
There are videos from actress Carey Mulligan and the England Lionesses talking about their experiences of dementia, as well as many factual documentaries.
The BBC have put together a comprehensive page dedicated to media about people living with dementia and their families/loved ones. There is some great content featuring high-profile figures such as actors Timothy West and Prunella Scales, documentary maker Louis Theroux, former MP Dennis Skinner, and broadcaster Joan Bakewell.
Check out our blogs on dementia
We’ve written several blogs about Alzheimer’s and related topics on our website.
For Dementia Action Week, we wrote about the different types of dementia, debunked popular myths, and looked at ways that technology can aid people living with dementia.
We’ve also published a guest blog about best-selling author Sir Terry Pratchett, who became a fierce campaigner for Alzheimer’s research after his own diagnosis in 2007.
Alzheimer’s care tailored to your needs
Agincare’s specialist Alzheimer’s care services can make a real difference to the quality of life for people with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia.
Each person’s experience with Alzheimer’s is unique. We recognise that all people, regardless of their diagnosis or the stage of Alzheimer’s they are at, have their own strengths to call upon, their own capabilities, wishes and their personal experiences.
We want to help people living with Alzheimer’s live as fulfilling a life as possible. We have different ways we can care for you, depending on your needs, situation, symptoms, likes and dislikes. We take everything into account and use our years of experience to work with you and your family to find a solution that’s right for you.
For further information of how Agincare can support you or a loved one with dementia care, click here.