Dementia
Introduction
TheBoldAge team and friends have pulled together a series of articles surrounding dementia. Shining a light on the positive and uplifting, the challenges, the facts and we hope, as result, busting a few myths along the way. Wherever we can, we involve people living, day to day, with dementia who can talk more eloquently about their own experiences whether they are the person living with dementia, a loved one, or a family or professional carer. In the short-time we have been building this topic, we have quickly come to realise that everyone's experience, albeit individual, has so much value in helping us all, and we do mean all of us, to squeeze every last ounce we possibly can from life. As with all our topic areas we will be continually adding to this resource and we hope you find it of value.Some facts
In the UK alone it is estimated that there are over 1 million people living with dementia and 44 million worldwide. Which by any measure makes it one of the key health priorities, globally. Dementia is not just one disorder, it is a term used to describe a range of progressive neurological disorders affecting the brain. In fact, there are over 200 subtypes of dementia, though we commonly hear most about: Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies, frontotemporal dementia. Some individuals may have a combination of different types of dementia, often called mixed dementia.The brain is made up of a host of nerve cells (called neurones) these communicate with each other by sending messages. What Dementia does is damage these nerve cells corrupting the messages so they cannot be sent from and to the brain effectively. This in turn disrupts the normal operation of the body. It’s important to realise that there is no one common path that everyone goes through, regardless of what part of the brain is impacted or the type of dementia, each individual will experience dementia differently and in their unique way.
Author Robin Thomson talks about a seminar he has been involved in
Being passionate about the environment is healthy to. Studies draw a link between Alzheimer’s and pollution
A group of special golfing friends helped Terry through his difficult journey
TheBoldAge takes a look at the desperate need for a 24-hour 7 day a week dementia helpline
Scientists, from Imperial College London and the Dementia Research Institute to begin trials
Deb Bunt and Peter Berry have kindly allowed TheBoldAge to feature an extract from their brilliant and inspirational book 'Slow Puncture'
Author Deb Bunt discusses her phobia of reading out loud made worse by her Co-Author Peter Berry hanging on her every word for dear life
The pandemic restrictions might be causing a lot of worry for carers right now. TheBoldAge finds out more.
The findings from Eli Lilly & Co., show the importance of research into all dementia conditions
A Study from Finland looks at the linkage between cardiovascular health and dementia
‘How Music has helped me cope…by helping others‘
The TV host knows it can be a challenging time of year. She tells TheBoldAge what helped make it easier for her family.
Peter’s life changes when, at the age of fifty, he is given a terminal diagnosis of early onset dementia. Since that day, he has learned to live with his very own ‘dementia monster’.
One of the government’s election promises was to double the investment in research into dementia. Now more than ever they need to honour it
Robin discusses a very personal view about the faith he shared with Shoko who was living with alzheimer's
Shoko Thomson, who died living with Alzheimers, wrote this account in 2012, the year she was diagnosed
New research says people with IBD have double the risk of developing dementia.
Grace Meadows is Programme Director for Music for Dementia, a national campaign leading the call to make music freely available for everyone living with dementia
On World Alzheimer's Day we take a quick look at the impact of music on dementia and alzheimer's disease
Here is the next in our series by Robin Thomson, who in this article introduces his series on faith
The second article from our guest writer, Robin Thomson who reflects on his wife's Shoko's journey with Alzheimer's
When my wife, Shoko, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, we had no idea what lay ahead. Here are some of my reflections.
Healthier, fitter and happier, how food and exercise has helped bring a new balance
Research shows a healthy lifestyle lessens your chances of developing dementia or helps in slowing it's progression if you do get it.
The statistics lay bare the urgent and critical need for additional support, including a national 24-hour 7 day a week helpline and support platform. We don’t have to see the same number of excess deaths in future.
TheBoldPulse Survey - the need for a 24 hour 7 day a week national dementia helpline
TheBoldAge talks to Grace Meadows, Programme Director for Music for Dementia about why she believes so passionately in the power of music for people living with dementia, how you can help others to enjoy music and why their new radio station is hitting the right notes.
“When I cycle, I leave my dementia at home. I become who I was, not who I am.”
TheBoldAge talks to Derek Fisher an active blogger and speaker with a keen interest in mental health and dementia, who has been investigating the need for an around the clock dementia helpline
Pippa Kelly is an award-winning dementia campaigner, blogger and author, and host of the podcast, Well I Know Now
Marion Foreman talks to Robin Thomson about dementia, love and god
Dementia Awareness Week has moved to later in the year due to the current lockdown. Here TheBoldAge looks at the early symptoms of dementia that can creep up slowly on families
Marion introduces Robin Thomson and his wife Shoko and their Alzheimer journey
It’s the most common form of dementia and rates are rising, but how much do you really know about this complex neurological disease?
Wendy Mitchell has kindly allowed us to use an extract from her hugely powerful book.
From the 16th-22nd of March it is Brain Awareness Week:
A conversation with the acclaimed author Wendy Mitchell
3 proactive tips to help those diagnosed with dementia
What is dementia? Let's demystify this cluster of diseases, and help ourselves and those around us as we strive to make sense of new realities.