Lacey Turner joins in for Alzheimer’s Society’s Cupcake Day 2019
Dust off your baking bowls and whip out your whisks, Alzheimer’s Society’s Cupcake Day is back on Thursday 13 June. Actress and Alzheimer’s Society supporter, Lacey Turner, is urging everyone to unite against dementia with their families, friends and colleagues, by baking or buying cupcakes to raise vital funds. Being close to friends and colleagues affected by dementia, Lacey Turner is now supporting the cause, having taken part in a Cupcake Day tasting event last year. Speaking about supporting Cupcake Day, Lacey said: “After tasting lots of treats last year, I’m so happy to be taking part in Alzheimer’s Society’s Cupcake Day again,” said Lacey. “Cupcake Day is not just for the pros, I didn’t do any baking last year- I can only make toast! You can bake, bring or buy, but what’s important is that we all unite together to help beat dementia. “Every three minutes someone in the UK develops dementia but each cupcake sold will help get us a step closer to finding a cure. That’s why I’m calling on all the bakers and fakers to join me; it’s time to get to work! You can sign up for a free fundraising kit at cupcakeday.org.uk.” Research will beat dementia, but we need more funding to find a cure. There hasn’t been a new drug for dementia in 15 years – but since 2013, the number of clinical trials for Alzheimer’s drugs has doubled, and Alzheimer’s Society is investing in, and accelerating, dementia research, having committed to spending at least £150m in the next decade. With 850,000 people in the UK having dementia, we owe better knowledge of the condition to everyone affected, so that they can live better. It is only through research that we can understand what causes dementia, develop effective treatments, improve care and one day find a cure. Sue Clarke, Alzheimer’s Society operations manager for Alzheimer’s Society in Greater Manchester, said: “We’re all delighted that Lacey is supporting us for Cupcake Day. It’s great to see how attending a Cupcake Day event last year has inspired Lacey to get more involved in the fun this year. “Dementia is now the UK’s biggest killer. Each cupcake will help us find a cure, improve care and offer help and understanding for people affected. Events such as Cupcake Day make it easy for everyone to get involved, and raise awareness of the important work we do to support people with dementia.” Now in its fourth year, Cupcake Day has raised £2.7 million since 2016. Last year more than 3,873 baking pros, impatient icers, first-timers and late night whiskers from the North West united together against dementia for Cupcake Day. This June, Alzheimer’s Society is encouraging everyone to bake, bring or buy, to raise more than ever before to help beat dementia. In just the average time it takes to bake a batch of cakes, six people will develop dementia in the UK. Whether you choose to host your own event for Cupcake Day on 13 June or mark the occasion another time in the month, there are no excuses not to get involved. Visit cupcakeday.org.uk to sign up today!
How you can help during Dementia Action week?
This Dementia Action Week, 20 – 26 May, Alzheimer’s Society is calling for people to focus on inclusion, and take action so people living with dementia can stay connected to the things they love for longer. Over a third of people living with dementia have recently felt lonely and over a third have lost touch with their friends following a diagnosis (Alzheimer’s Society’s Turning up the Volume report). Across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, this means hundreds and thousands of people living with dementia are feeling cut off. Public anxiety and a sense of social awkwardness contribute to the isolation that people living with dementia experience – over half of the general public report that they don’t feel confident visiting someone with dementia in a care home or inviting them to a meal at their home. Living with dementia doesn’t need to mean an isolated life – after all, people with dementia are still people. This Dementia Action Week, Alzheimer’s Society is urging everyone to unite with them and take action – so people living with dementia can stay connected to the things they love for longer. It’s as simple as continuing to stay in touch, talk to and visit friends, family and neighbours with dementia. Or learning more about dementia and volunteering with Alzheimer’s Society to help someone in your local area. Our small acts of kindness can make a huge impact in helping people with dementia stay connected. Last year, over 900 events took place across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Our film reached 1.8 million views, thousands of people pledged to take action for people affected by dementia online and we made over 21,000 Dementia Friends. People don’t realise that many people with dementia may find it difficult to recognise faces of friends and family members, but they still hold an ‘emotional memory’ which means they continue to feel happy long after a visit or experience that they may have forgotten. Spending time with loved ones is important because it can stimulate feelings of familiarity, happiness, comfort and security. Staying connected and taking part in activities helps a person with dementia feel less isolated. Look out for campaign materials for the week promoting the best ways to stay in touch, have a conversation and make a difference to people with dementia in your community. To find your nearest event during Dementia Action Week, and to get involved and take action, visit alzheimers.org.uk/DAW.
Penwortham man living with dementia releases song for Alzheimer’s Society
69-year-old John Holt who is living with dementia has been inspired to write a song about his experiences of the condition. The song ‘The Secret D’ has been released on iTunes with all proceeds going to Alzheimer’s Society. John, who lives in Penwortham, attends Alzheimer’s Society’s Singing for the Brain in Penwortham, and is also a member of the Skylarks Community Choir. As a former musician in a brass band, John penned the lyrics and contacted ‘The Songwriting Charity’, set up by Nathan Timothy, who agreed to write the music and produce it. John explains: “I wanted to write something that explains what happens when you get dementia and how if you keep doing activities it can genuinely help you. I hope the lyrics communicate how I feel I live with the illness and emphasise that there are many things we can still do and learn. We don’t have to just sit back and silently accept the inevitable. ‘I try to be as active as possible and organise lots of new things and I really believe that helps me to deal with this condition. I wanted to share that message with other people with dementia, and, at the same time, raise funds for Alzheimer’s Society, as I feel the charity has really helped me. ‘I feel my confidence has grown since attending these singing groups. I do a solo every week, and prior to getting dementia, I would never have stood up and sung. Now I have written a song and sold 200 copies of the CD already.” Nathan Timothy from The Songwriting Charity based in Kent said: “John contacted me after reading online about my work and I was honoured when he asked me if I could help him with this fantastic and unique project. My own father has been diagnosed with dementia so I am fully aware of the impact it has on the lives of so many people.” The lead vocals are sung by 22 year-old Lewis Hampson who studies music at UCLan. Lewis recently lost his grandfather to dementia and so was keen to be involved as it had a personal significance for him. Lewis Hampson says: “I met John at a singing for the brain group having been persuaded to go along by mum who works for Alzheimer’s Society. Having lost my grandad last year, who lived with dementia, I felt humbled when I was asked to sing lead vocals on the song John had wrote. It made me think I was giving something back to the society who had supported him and my nan. I am in my final year at UClan studying Musical Theatre so singing is a great passion of mine. Being part of this project was my absolute pleasure.” A small group from Skylarks community choir (including John) were also involved in singing on the recording. Jane Swarbrick, who leads Alzheimer’s Society’s Singing for the Brain group and runs Skylark Community choir said: “It’s amazing what John has achieved by writing this song and selling 200 copies of the CD already. I think it’s truly inspirational that so many people have come together to support and help make this happen for John. ‘I think John echoes an important message that people can still live well with dementia and keeping active and having interests helps many people with dementia. ‘Music is also so important for people with dementia. Even when many memories are hard to retrieve, music can sometimes still be recalled – if only for a short while. Singing for the Brain sessions help people living with dementia communicate, improving their mood and leaving them feeling good about themselves.’ ‘Dementia devastates lives, but dementia won’t win. Until the day we find a cure we will be here for anyone affected by dementia, where they are, whatever they’re going through. We need more people like John and those who have supported him to join us now and unite against dementia.” If you want to download the song please go to https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/the-secret-d-single/1455634899 John is also writing a book called ‘From Birth to Dementia’ about his life. From running your local 5K to trekking Mount Kilimanjaro and cycling from London to Paris to parachuting, Alzheimer’s Society has a fantastic range of events both in the UK and abroad. Unite with us now at www.alzheimers.org.uk
Alzheimer’s Society to launch new café support group
Parbold and Skelmersdale Alzheimer’s Society dementia cafes will become one new café support group for people with dementia starting on Wednesday 10 April at Skelmersdale library. The amalgamated Café will provide an opportunity for people with dementia and their carers to socialise and get much needed face to face support. Dementia Cafés provide people with dementia and carers a platform to talk openly about living with dementia within a relaxed and informal environment. The group will also hear from a variety of guest speakers, including health and social care professionals and representatives from the local community, about topics and services relevant to them. Kathleen Storton, Services Manager for Alzheimer’s Society in West Lancashire said: “Following feedback from people currently attending both cafes in Parbold and Skelmersdale, we agreed it made sense to hold just one café support group on a different day in the afternoon from 1pm – 3pm to make it more accessible for people affected by dementia. ‘Alzheimer’s Society continues to support people affected by dementia in West Lancashire through our Dementia Adviser and Dementia Support services. Merging the cafes enables our Dementia Support Worker to spend more time providing one to one support. ‘Dementia cafes can really help improve people’s quality of life. They give people with the condition and their carers the opportunity to socialise with others in similar situations and receive vital support. They’re also a great source of information and guidance which can help people to live well with the condition. ‘Alzheimer’s Society also provide information, support and advice through our national Dementia Helpline and are here for anyone affected by dementia on 0300 222 11 22. Our website (alzheimers.org.uk) offers a wealth of information about all forms of dementia, along with Talking Point is our free online community where anyone affected by dementia can receive peer support. ‘We do hope that you can come along and join us on Wednesday 10 April to help us launch the café.” Linda Manwaring who attends the Dementia Café in Ormskirk said: “My life has improved a great deal since coming to the café support group, because I can talk to other carers and the staff and I can also share experiences with them. The dementia cafes are an excellent idea. ‘I think the staff and volunteers are very supportive and kind. They have a lovely way about them which can really help. It’s a great way for people to come together, carers can share experiences and gain support from others in a similar situation” There are 1,544 people living with dementia in West Lancashire. With the right support people can live well with the condition for a number of years. If you would like more information about the Skelmersdale café starting on Wednesday 10 April (1.30pm until 3.30pm) please contact Kathleen Storton and other Alzheimer’ Society staff on 01772 788700 or kathleen.storton@alzheimers.org.uk As well as Dementia Cafés, Alzheimer’s Society in West Lancashire runs a number of services including Dementia Advisers, Dementia Support Workers, Singing for the Brain and Carers Information and Support Programme. For more information visit alzheimers.org.uk/localinfo
Thousands of ‘glow-getters’ put dementia to bed at Ready Steady GLOW in Manchester
Thousands of people took to the streets of Manchester at the weekend to unite against dementia. More than 3,400 attended Alzheimer’s Society’s special 5km night walk, known as Ready Steady GLOW, which started and finished at Media City. Participants, most of whom were walking in memory of – or to pay tribute to – a loved one affected by dementia, formed a sea of blue in their Memory Walk T-shirts as they made their way along the city’s waterfront. From there, they snaked their way across some of the city’s iconic bridges and past the famous Imperial War Museum and Lowry Theatre. Before the walk got underway the Piazza was a hive of activity as participants enjoyed a lively ‘zumba dance’ warm up session – and the high spirits continued as medals were handed out as people crossed the finishing line. Hazel Bayley, Alzheimer’s Society Area Manager for the North West, said: “Dementia is now the UK’s biggest killer, with someone developing it every three minutes. “I am so glad that thousands of people from across the region stepped out to improve the lives of people living with dementia. “Dementia devastates lives; it slowly strips people of their memories, relationships and identities. “Every pound raised through Ready Steady GLOW will help Alzheimer’s Society provide vital information and support, improve care, fund research and create lasting change for people affected by the condition. “Alzheimer’s Society is committed to spending at least £150 million over the next decade on dementia research to improve care for people today and find a cure for tomorrow. “I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has helped make this year’s first Ready Steady GLOW event such a brilliant success.” To find out more about Ready Steady GLOW and Alzheimer’s Society’s daytime Memory Walk events, go to memorywalk.org.uk
Borough Care teams up with EDUCATE
Borough Care teams up with EDUCATE For music and laughter project Borough Care, the largest not for profit provider of care for older people in Stockport, has signed up to the EDUCATE Music and Laughter project. EDUCATE is a Stockport based group of people living with dementia, who raise awareness and help deliver training programmes. EDUCATE inspires others to live well with dementia. The Music and Laughter project is also being promoted by Fabulous Forgetful Friends, an involvement group for people living with dementia in Manchester. Borough Care has over 20 years of experience supporting people with dementia. The company offers dementia support through a range of services, including residential care, active recovery and day care provision. Borough Care has partnered with EDUCATE to put on a range of musical performances and events for residents. The overall aim of the Music and Laughter project is to put people with dementia in the driving seat when it comes to the music they listen to, sing or play. As part of the project, a number of musical events will be put on for Borough Care residents. These will involve performances by the residents themselves, professional musicians and the EDUCATE-Stockport school intergenerational choir. Events will also be arranged by Music in Hospitals & Care, a charity that brings live music to people in hospitals and care settings throughout the UK. Sophie Gardiner, Area Manager at Borough Care, says: “Experiencing music can help provide a better quality of life for people with dementia and improve their overall physical and mental wellbeing. Music accesses a different part of the brain than language so it can be used to communicate or engage with someone with dementia even if they no longer speak or respond to words. Many of our residents love music and the musical activities we put on are always popular. The Music and Laughter project will give our residents even more opportunities to enjoy, and participate in, musical events.” Music has many benefits for people living with dementia. It helps people express their feelings, taps into powerful memories and emotions, helps a person connect with others around them and can reduce social isolation.
RCH opens its first specialist ABI centre
Care provider RCH was celebrating this month as it officially opened its first acquired brain injury centre in Bedfordshire. Manton Heights ABI Unit, situated off Manton Lane in Bedford, will join the group’s ten older persons’ care homes and a supported living service in the east and south east of the country. The brand-new, state-of-the-art centre was officially declared ‘open’ by the RCH Care team and invited guests on Friday, 23 November 2018 and will provide life-changing support to people who have acquired or traumatic brain injuries – often the result of a range of illnesses or incidents such as a stroke or car accident. With an expert team of consultants and therapists, the unit will care for up to 14 residents – providing a range of dedicated care, support and tailored therapies specifically personalised to aid each resident’s on-going rehabilitation. Its homely lounge and dining room, spacious en-suite bedrooms, homemade meals and an IT suite/games room, support residents to feel comfortable and at home whilst benefiting from specialist facilities such as tracking hoists, a rehabilitation therapy room, independence kitchen and two bungalows for people to live in for a period of time prior to them returning to independent living. Stephen Rees, Chief Operating Officer of RCH Care Homes which owns and runs the new centre said: “We’re really pleased to be adding the ABI centre to our portfolio of homes. We have an absolutely amazing team of skilled and highly experienced consultants and therapists who will work together to provide the very best care and support to our residents – we look forward to welcoming people from across the county and beyond.” Unit Manager Tina Colley added: “Acquired and traumatic brain injuries can be simply devastating for the person and their family and friends. Someone can go from leading a completely normal life one day to having to rely on others for their every need the next due to an accident, illness or incident which has left them with brain damage. “My team and I are absolutely committed to supporting each and every resident to live their new lives to the full. Through the dedication of an experienced team of consultants and therapists, we will be helping them to relearn the skills they once had and supporting them to be as independent as possible in the future.” For more information about Manton Heights ABI Unit please visit www.mantonheightsabi.co.uk or call Tina and the team on 01234 213 686.
NEW STARTER COMES TO THE RESCUE OF AN ELDERLY PATIENT
New starter at Hilton Nursing Partners, personal nursing assistant Lilly Schwarz, used her quick thinking to safeguard a 95 year old patient from a potentially life-threatening situation as an electrical fire took hold. Only 12 days in her new role, new starter Lilly’s responsibility to assess patients after their discharge from hospital quickly went from a routine task, to that of a life saving situation when she was met at the patient’s home with panic and plumes of toxic smoke. “Mrs Frapwell had just been discharged from hospital after complications with her diabetes. My role was to support her through the transition of leaving hospital and regaining her confidence and independence at home again. As soon as I rang the intercom I knew there was a problem. I couldn’t get to her quick enough; thankfully she was outside her flat but very distressed that she couldn’t stop the toxic smoke from developing. “I moved her well away towards an open window where she could breath in fresh air, and then I went back to the flat. I could see an electric kettle on the electric hob, which had been switched on. I just turned the hob off then found the cut-off switch for the electrics before opening the windows as wide as I could. It must have taken me minutes to act; thankfully the fire brigade were quick to take over. The chocolates I received from Mrs Frapwell’s family as a thank you were absolutely gorgeous, but for me it was a natural response and I’d do it again to make sure any one of our patients were safe.” Mrs Frapwell said that she was very happy Lilly was at her home when she was as she didn’t know what would happen stating Hilton Nursing Partners could not have been better and the support she received was fantastic. Ann Taylor, CEO at Hilton Nursing Partners says: “We are incredibly proud of Lilly, her quick thinking kept our patient safe, and prevented the fire from progressing further. I can’t praise her selfless actions enough, without giving her bravery a second thought her only concern was to make sure Mrs Frapwell wasn’t hurt or upset by the incident – what a star.” 100% focused on getting patients out of hospital and recovering in their own homes. Working with the NHS and Social Care Commissioners Hilton Nursing Partners successfully deliver safe, timely and supportive hospital discharges, patient assessments and patient recovery programmes via nurses, therapists and nurse led personal nursing assistants with a proven track record in freeing hospital beds, as well as reducing re-admissions and on-going social services support.
How the elderly can benefit from using technology in relation to health?
In the UK, it’s estimated that around 45 million people use or own a smartphone. With most smartphone owners aged between 14 and 60, a large proportion of the elderly population are left behind when it comes to smart technology. In this article, we’ll take a look at the different ways the over 65’s can embrace smart technology to help their health. As people get older, it’s inevitable that they have to visit medical professionals more frequently. Due to mobility issues, many elderly people find it challenging to access doctors surgeries and clinics. However, using technology in the form of an app on a smartphone, tablet or device, a feasible solution can be used to significantly aid this habitual problem. Apps such as Push Doctor, or the NHS’s version, ‘GPathand’, allows you to book and undergo the appointment with your doctor or GP straight from your internet connected device. Online pharmacies are also a useful tool for this problem as patients, after receiving an online consultation with a doctor, can have their repeat prescriptions delivered right to their door. By using technology, the elderly population can regularly access the top healthcare, without having to worry about mobility issues. Wearable technologies can also be used to benefit the health of the elderly. Wearable technologies – most commonly in the form of a watch – are a category of devices that can track certain pieces of data, while being worn on the body of a person. The majority of the time, wearable technologies are used to track and monitor the health of the person wearing them. Wearable technology products such as the FitBit and other watches can collect data on heart rate, blood pressure, and the amount of exercise done in a day. Other smartwatch manufacturers have also created products that can aid people with medical conditions such as dementia – for instance, take Safelink’s smartwatch with it’s wearable GPS tracker, that alerts up to three smartphones when any unusual behaviour is detected. Initially, some elderly people may struggle to use some of the items listed above, however, there are plenty of resources out there to help them grow accustomed to their new found technological friend. Take a look at this guide on Age Action, or alternatively, seek out services like Barclays digital eagles, that can help anyone become confident in using technology.
