Someone in the world develops dementia every 3 seconds, so it’s extremely common to have somebody in your family/social circle that is or will be diagnosed. Although the journey of this process may be tough, you are not alone in having this condition as part of your life. It’s important to acknowledge the journey of dementia and how it affects you individually and how you can use it as a positive.
Here at 1 Stop, we are supporting Dementia Awareness Week and think that it’s important that you speak about how it affects you and your family and friends too. Your emotions and feelings are important and together we can make a difference. We questioned some people that was affected by a loved one having dementia and have used their feedback throughout as quotes. HOW TO CHANGE THE WAY THAT YOU FEEL ABOUT DEMENTIA Firstly, it’s important to not give up hope. There is still a search for a cure and with your help, donations and voice, differences can continue to be made. SADNESS- If somebody close to you has been diagnosed with dementia, it can make you feel extremely sad and like you’ve lost the person that they once were. It can be upsetting to see your loved ones when they have moments of distress and it’s also difficult to know that they might not remember who you are. However, it’s important to remember that your experience is completely different to theirs. They still love you just the same, it just may not be shown in the same way because they are more forgetful. You should take a positive from the fact that they don’t remember. “The positive that I can take out of this, is that my nan has forgotten the life she had before. She forgets that she used to be able to walk, shop, clean, play cards, cook. She seems happy within herself and has the most wicked sense of humour. It’s like she is an 18 year old woman. She brightens my day with her joke and the stories that she makes up.” ANGER- “It made me angry. It made me angry that there was nothing I could do for him.” Anger is a poisonous emotion and takes up so much of your time. It’s natural and understandable to feel this way. However, you cannot control dementia. You might want to make things better for your loved ones, but sometimes you have to accept that all you can do is offer love and support. Put all of your energy into supporting your loved one as best as you can. Remember all of the good memories and hold them close to your heart. Cherish them. FEAR- “It made me feel afraid. It’s scary because the person you love has changed” It can be scary and daunting, there is no questioning that. However, remember that your loved one doesn’t understand what is happening. “My father seems very calm and content. I think this is due to all the medication he’s on.” The situation can be intimidating but ensure that you speak about how it affects you regularly. This can help accept the situation and process your thoughts a little bit easier. GET ACTIVE- A lot of people don’t know much about dementia until somebody that they know is diagnosed. “I didn't even know there was a difference between Alzheimer's and dementia. I didn't know there were multiple kinds of dementia either” “I didn’t know anything about dementia until after my nan was diagnosed, which is one of the reasons I ended up going into healthcare myself” So, get your voice heard and start making a difference. The more people that get involved, the quicker a cure can be found. It can also be very rewarding and therapeutic to know that you are actively involved in trying to make a difference for your loved one and for the millions of others that are affected! HOW CAN YOU DO THIS? DONATE- You can donate to The Alzheimer’s Society by calling us at 1 Stop Healthcare: 01206913154 and help find a cure quicker! You can also donate via the direct website. FIND A CHARITY EVENT- There are so many events that you can get involved with for Dementia awareness week! There are memory walk’s throughout the country which unites all people together to stand up against dementia. Look here for more information: https://www.memorywalk.org.uk/ You can also get involved with other events including: running, cycling, trekking, swimming, sky diving, abseiling and ziplining! There is literally something for everybody! ORGANISE A CHARITY EVENT- You and your family/friends could get together and think of ideas to fundraise together. It can be anything from a charity leg wax, a sponsored silence to a massive ball or disco! The journey of dementia is difficult for everybody involved but keep talking, stand united and don't give up the fight to find a cure. The 1 Stop Healthcare Team Written by Starr Sawyer If you are interested in any of the vacancies we have available across East Anglia, one of our staff members will be happy to take your call on 01206 616171 and set up an interview with you! Alternatively, you can email your CV to [email protected] and we will give you a call. 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