It's a terminal illness

On Friday I was able to attend a dementia awareness session through my work, i thought it would be good to attend to see if I could learn anything new to help out my mum.

It made me realise how little is known about Dementia and everything that comes with it - the session did not teach me anything new that ive not learned through living with dementia through my mum - but I did come away with a few thoughts I wanted to share

DEMENTIA IS A BRAIN DISEASE

Something hit me like a brick whilst in the training session - DEMENTIA IS A BRAIN DISEASE - and it has to start being treated like that. I know i sound like a broken record with this one but I feel if we describe Dementia as a brain disease it might grab peoples attention more to realise how serious this illness can be. Dementia is not a natural part of aging, anyone can fall victim to this BRAIN DISEASE.

DEMENTIA IS A TERMINAL ILLNESS

There is no cure for Dementia, so should we start referring to Dementia as a terminal illness to shock people into understanding the realities of a diagnosis?

BEATING THE STIGMA

During the training session it was only mentioned once about early onset and the fact that people under the age of 65 can get dementia.

It was also referred to numerous times about people in their 70's, 80's and 90's and how they can be helped out to live better lives after a diagnosis.

So no wonder people of younger age diagnosis are still hearing the phrase -'BUT ALZHEIMERS IS FOR OLD PEOPLE' - to break through the stigma attached we have to start realising that it can effect anyone at any point in their life.

IT'S NOT JUST MEMORY LOSS

Alot of jokes were cracked on Friday - 'I forgot to bring a pen haha' 'I forgot what day this was on haha'

As to be expexted most people there assumed Dementia is just about 'forgetting things' and yes I suppose in simple terms it is - but I think it should be looked at more as losing the ability to do things!

If some one lost their legs in an accident and is no longer able to walk, you wouldnt say that they have forgotten how to walk, would you?

Well I like to think we should treat Dementia with the same respect.

The brain cells are slowly shrinking and dying which is causing people with a diagnosis to lose the ability to do things -

The ability to remember what you did yeaterday.

The ability to shower properly unaided.

The ability to cook a dinner.

The ability to make a cup of tea.

The list could go on.

So lets try not look at it as forgetting how to do things, but losing the ability how to do things due to the diagnosis of a brain disease.

Thanks for taking the time to read, i would love to hear your thoughts on anything I have wrote.

#alzheimers