Number of NHS staff with dementia training to rise

A very interesting article in one of todays newspapers



The number of NHS staff with dementia training will reach 100,000 by March next year under a shake-up of medical education in England.

Measures to tackle a historic shortage in medics specialising in accident and emergency are also included in the Government's mandate for Health Education England (HEE).


Under the plans, more nurses will have part of their training in the community and the NHS will have enough midwives and maternity staff for all expectant mothers to receive personalised one-to-one care.



Health minister Dan Poulter said: "The staff working in our NHS are our health service's most precious resource, and we must do all we can to ensure that our staff have the right values, training, and skills to deliver the very highest quality of care for patients.



"Today's mandate to Health Education England, backed by a £5 billion budget, will help our many dedicated frontline staff to further improve their ability to care for patients as well as enabling our NHS to train the next generation of doctors, nurses and healthcare assistants.



"As people are living longer with more complex medical and care needs, so must we ensure that our NHS workforce has the right skills and values to provide more care in the community for older patients as well as to give each and every child the very best start in life. Plans for the future training and recruitment of our NHS will lead to better working lives for staff and better care for patients."

In a joint foreword to the document, Dr Poulter and Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said: "The terrible events at Mid Staffordshire Foundation Trust and the Francis Report reinforces the need to recruit NHS and public health staff with the right values and the need to put the delivery of high quality compassionate care at the heart of our NHS."



Under the targets set for HEE, 100,000 staff will have foundation level dementia training by March 2014, 50% of medical students will go on to become GPs and at least half of all student nurses will do a community placement as part of their training by March 2015.



A new five-year plan to ensure the right levels of staffing and training across the health service workforce will be in place by autumn 2013 including a commitment to tackle shortages in doctors working in emergency medicine.



A&E departments have struggled to cope with soaring demand, with experts warning that emergency care systems could collapse in six months as a result.



The mandate includes a plan to support the progression of healthcare assistants into nursing by autumn 2014, and to establish minimum training standards for healthcare assistants by spring 2014.
HEE's chief executive Prof Ian Cumming said: "Our mandate from the Government sets out clearly the plans for education and training that will be the cornerstone for the delivery of high quality, effective, compassionate care, by recruiting for values and training for skills. Our £5 billion budget will allow us to recruit, train and develop a workforce that will deliver improved care to patients."
Cathy Warwick, chief executive of the Royal College of Midwives, said: "These commitments are very welcome. On paper this looks good but it has got to be put into action and the Government have to ensure this happens.



"I want to look back at the end of the timescales the Government have laid out and see that all of this actually happened, and I look forward to working with them and HEE to make it a reality."
Dean Royles, chief executive of NHS Employers, said: "This mandate isn't just about having the right numbers of staff. In the aftermath of the Mid Staffordshire Inquiry, the NHS Employers organisation will work with HEE to ensure a strong emphasis on recruiting for positive values.

"We look forward to working with HEE on implementing this mandate and ensuring it delivers for patients."

Good book

I have just read a brilliant book called" Who will I be when I die", written by Christine Bryden  explaining her diagnosis and how life changed.



This is a wonderful book which  explains the problems we struggle with on a daily basis.
I would recommend this to anyone training in the dementia field.



Christine has Alzheimer's but has very similar problems to me with my Lewy body dementia, and although I have written about my problems in my blog, I could not have written this any better as Christine is brilliant at explaining things like this.



A true ambassador in dementia.

Very noisey

We are travelling by train to our daughters this morning but.i am struggling as the noise level on the train is horrific.


Everyone seems to be trying to speak louder than the rest of the coach and it gets worse when the train speaker system starts.


My hearing is acute due to my lewy body dementia so this is like a journey from hell to me.


I am not blaming other people really, its just life is so fast these days, with my moth eaten brain, and I cannot keep up with the hurly burly and modern  high speed life, with all of its  sounds and sights.

Contact information

I have received hundreds of e-mails over the last two months from people wanting to ask questions  about the Lewy Body Dementia, the blog and many other things.



 As you can imagine this illness makes life hard at times, especially when trying to work things out on the blogs itself, as I don't always see the obvious



But to try to help, tonight I have installed a contact section on the bottom of the page where "hopefully" friends, can send their details and questions and I will try to get an answer back to them.

It may take time to get it all sorted, but I will do my best to answer any questions that come up.

Like many others I try to use this blog from my mobile phone, but sadly not all of the blog settings are visible, so its hit and miss.



I suppose being a free blog, you only get the basics to work with, but on the whole I am not too bothered, as it does the job and too much information to someone with this illness spells disaster.

So I will carry on and try to make the best I can.



In the mean time, if anyone really wants to answers through faster they should just sign up to Google, which is free and that allows them to gain access straight on to the blog where they can comment as and when they wish.



Many of the comments are fed to an external e-mail address, where they are read and then reposted, so this will hopefully speed things up




I hope this helps

Dementia Friendly University

As a person with early onset Lewy Body Dementia I have been very proud and privileged, to have worked with the Staff at Northumbria University, where over the last two years I have occasionally given talks to students who are taking a degree in Nursing.

During this time they have been learning about my life with dementia, its ups and downs.

It has been a privilege to explain the problems I struggle with on a daily basis, in the hope that the Nursing staff of the future are better equipped to help and support others who have dementia, when they need to go into hospital for treatment.  

The students have always been good enough to send us personal remarks, after each talk and that does make it feel as if it has all been that bit more worthwhile because, it also proves that they too get something out of the talks.

I can honestly say that the lecturers have been so supportive and kind, especially by giving me enough time to consider the subject for my talks well in advance, so that I can spend time writing it all out before the event.

This must be one of the first dementia friendly Universities in the country, and they should be very proud of themselves for what they achieved in the period.

This week is dementia awareness week and the university have events on every day, to help everyone who works with people who have dementia, so to me they really are dementia friendly and deserve to be recognised for this.

Well done to all of the staff who do, so much to help train high quality nursing staff for the future

Living with dementia

about 13 hours ago

 

Ken Clasper talking about his dementia on ITV Tyne Tees and Border Credit: ITV Tyne Tees

By 2030 there will be more than 50 thousand people in our region living with dementia.
It's a figure that's going up rapidly but, as we enter National Dementia Week, there's a still a startling lack of awareness about the disease.
Ken Clasper, who has been living with dementia for many years. You can read his blog here.

•        
   

News Press articles

I had a comment today about my use of a news press article in my blog. Its not something I do a lot of as I would rather write my own when I am up to it these days.



When I  do used  a clip from a newspaper it is to highlight something well worth it, or to highlight a local Alzheimer's project, so that others can see what it is possible to do in their own area.



I never intended to copy anyone else's information for my own gain, as that's not my aim.

I am trying to help everyone who has or is caring for a person with dementia.



If I have upset anyone I apologise but that was not my intent, I trying to raise the profile of this illness.



This is something we all have to work together  in doing as its very important that the illness gets a higher profile and better services



I hope that will end this topic as I am here to help myself and others with the illness, not get into a press argument online.

Dementia Awareness Week urges people to get talking

                                        

Published on 18/05/2013 08:30

PEOPLE in South Tyneside are being urged to join the debate on dementia.

The Alzheimer’s Society is encouraging people to get talking about the condition during Dementia Awareness Week, which runs all next week.


The charity is inviting residents of all ages to attend a series of events in the borough to help people with the condition take the first steps towards receiving help.


The South Shields team will be holding a ‘dementia café’ at St Gregory’s Church, at The Nook, on Monday from noon to 2pm. It will be open to the public and will feature a presentation by North-East-based neurological researchers.


People worried about their memory or concerned about loved ones or friends are invited to pop in to the charity’s South Shields office, in the Edinburgh Buildings, in Station Approach, for a private chat with a dementia support worker or memory protection nurse on Thursday from 11am to 2pm.
On Friday, the Alzheimer’s Society team will be manning a stall at South Shields market, and staff will be available to talk about the charity’s services and dementia-related issues on an informal basis.
Liz Williams, a South Shields-based Alzheimer’s Society dementia support worker, is urging residents to take the opportunity to get to know more about dementia and the services the charity offers.


She said: “The Alzheimer’s Society wants to bring dementia out of the shadows, get people talking about it and help local communities feel better prepared to face it.


“As the population ages, we all face the risk of one day developing dementia. The more we know about the condition, the more prepared we’ll be to face it.


“These events are a great opportunity find out more.


“It is important that if people are concerned about their memory that they speak to us because we will be able to signpost them in the right direction.
“We will be holding an open session at the office and also having a market stall because we know it’s important to talk.”

Hospitals ‘fail dementia patients’

 

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HOSPITALS are ill-equipped to deal with dementia patients when they are admitted with other medical problems, a leading nurse has warned.

        

                

             

Care for dementia sufferers could be transformed if nurses were given the time to care for patients

Jeni Bell, the UK’s first hospital-based Admiral nurse – specialising in dementia – said care for sufferers could be transformed if nurses were given the time to look after patients, rather than be restricted to just dealing with their clinical needs.

Ms Bell, based at Southampton General Hospital, said: “People with dementia don’t go into hospital because they have dementia, they are there because they are physically unwell but acute hospital staff have been ill-equipped to deal with the added needs that dementia presents.”

Dementia UK has been awarded £1.4million from the Health Lottery

If patients are confined to bays, they will wander off and touch things that might be dangerous, but if you give them a table and encourage patients to join each other for a biscuit and a chat, they will relax

Jeni Bell, the UK’s first hospital-based Admiral nurse

Speaking ahead of Dementia Awareness Week, which starts tomorrow, she added: “If patients are confined to bays, they will wander off and touch things that might be dangerous, but if you give them a table and encourage patients to join each other for a biscuit and a chat, they will relax.”

The charity Dementia UK, which runs the Admiral nursing scheme, has been awarded £1.4million from the Health Lottery to fund a number of Admiral nurses.

Owned by Richard Desmond, chairman of Daily Express owner Northern & Shell, The Health Lottery has helped to raise £34million to support good causes. It has paid out £56million in cash prizes.

 

 

 

It is so sad and makes me very angry when I read news press like this, and it makes we wonder what has happened to out brilliant health service, has it all gone down the pan, through all of the unnecessary changes and regulations.

We should be looking after these people, because over the years they have paid their way through life and in many cases have served this country in more than one way, so why should they be treated with lack of respect.

Every day in the UK  we hear that the NHS is over worked by those who abuse the system by getting drunk every weekend, or over eat, yet those with dementia have done nothing to get this horrible disease, yet they are treated worse than rubbish.  

 

I am beginning to think that the wrong people are in charge of the NHS and it really needs a good revamp starting from the basics. If you don't get the basics right the rest will be rubbish as well. 

 

 

 

Nice walk in the park

After last weeks disaster of being a rubbish week, I decided to get up early and go for a walk round the local park before the dog walkers and bike riders got out, so that I could enjoy the peace and sit for a while watching and photographing the birds and wildlife.



I enjoy this as its so peaceful and if you sit long enough the birds ignore you and even come up to see what your doing.



Its so relaxing that I could sit there all day. Of cause its not all plane sailing when you have an illness like dementia, as we tend to forget the settings, and we don't have the speed that other people have on their side, so a lot of this is down to good luck.



I do feel that it is a hobby which needs support, but these days there are very few people who have the experience who will gladly spend time helping us with hobbies like this. These photos are not perfect, but I am proud of them and feel as if I have achieved something wonderful

 

When the sun came out the water colour was beautiful

 

 

 

 

I took this for the reflections 

 

 

Pairing up

 

 

Bath time

 

Love is in the air

 

Landing time

 

 

Out for a walk

 

 

Coming in to land

 

Family outing

 

 

This water is cold

 

 

 

Follow the leader

 

 

Families day out

 

 

This is a wonderful hobby on the good days when I remember the settings, and it allows me to sit with the animals and birds where I feel quite relaxed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

'4D theatre' dementia centre opens in Norris Green

Liverpool City Council said people would be able to "immerse themselves in the sights, sounds and smells of the past"

Related Stories

A Liverpool dementia centre featuring an interactive "4D theatre", thought to be the first of its type, has opened.

The £1.2m council-run Sedgemoor Dementia Support Centre, in Norris Green, will be used by 30 people a day.

Liverpool City Council said people could "immerse themselves in the sights, sounds and smells of the past" through videos and relevant scents.

An estimated 670,000 people in England have dementia, with the figure expected to double in the next 30 years.

The theatre aims to help with cognitive therapy. The centre will also provide assessment and respite facilities.

Hundreds visit Alzheimer's Society Dementia Community Roadshow

 

10:30am Sunday 12th May 2013 in News By Alexandra Rucki

Hundreds visit Alzheimer's Society Dementia Community Roadshow

Hundreds of people visited an Alzheimer's disease charity roadshow for advice and support.
The Alzheimer's Society Dementia Community Roadshow stopped at Tesco, in Oldfield Road, Sutton as part of its current tour of London.
Staff and volunteers were joined by MP Paul Burstow when it arrived last week.
People suffering from dementia or their friends and family were encouraged to drop in with no appointment necessary.
More than 100 people were given advice, while 39 people wanted a consultation in special rooms set up.
Figures show 1,586 in Sutton and Merton were diagnosed with dementia last year.
The charity has raised more than £7.5m to help improve the lives of people with dementia and support research.
Mr Burstow said: "It was good to meet up with the local Alzheimer’s Society team outside Tesco.  Being able to get information and ask questions about dementia can make a big difference."
Debbie Brennan, Alzheimer’s Society support services manager for Sutton, said: "The Roadshow is an exciting way to reach out to people across London, tackling stigma and raising awareness of the condition.
"If you are worried about your memory, we would encourage you to contact your GP or get in touch with Alzheimer’s Society to find out more about the support available."

Visit alzheimers.org.uk/roadshow for more information.

Do the Media need to cover stories on dementia, more responsibly

I have spent the last four weeks trying to write this, as I was getting very angry at the way the press publish some stories about dementia. I had major problems using the computer and spelling words correctly, so I hope this works 

 

I do feel that the Media need to be more responsible in their reporting of dementia issues, so that they do not reinforce stereotypes and stigma, just to get an eye-catching headline

I do think that the media do have a lot to answer for as far as dementia is concerned, and unless things change they will carry on, causing unnecessary distress to those with the illness

The reason for saying this is:-

We see constant headlines telling us that someone has found a cure or a miracle treatment, but it’s just leaving those with the illness to think that things are going to get better, when in reality it is not likely to happen for years to come.

We see stories of foods which stop the illness, but can that be true.

We see one moment that the Mediterranean diet is good for dementia, and then the next moment it does not work?

They use terms like Service User and Sufferers in dementia, terms which many with the illness hate. At the end of the day who wants to be classed as a user of any kind, it’s so unfair to class a person with dementia as a user, let alone a sufferer.

I think that main concern about user these days, is that many drug addicts call themselves service users, and many of us feel insulted to be in the same class as them, as we have done nothing to get this illness, it’s not self-inflicted

Yes we have this illness but it’s the complications which cause us to suffer.

I suppose we had the same with cancer in the 1960s

There are far too many stories and stories with a negative slant in them.

They still class this illness as age related, when in fact we know that is wrong, as there are thousands of people well under the age of 65 who have been diagnosed as having the illness. Many things like this help keep the stigma in dementia going as many, feel that the press don’t understand the illness.

Assistive technology and tracking devices

Recently we saw a story covering assistive technology and people with dementia, but they did not seem to go out to people with the illness, to ask whether they would want to use it or not.

However, it seems that they asked others to comment, but did these people have any knowledge of the illness or not. There are many out in the big wide world who are full of information about what people with dementia, should and should not do, but I really wonder just how many have a basic idea about our lives.

 

I understand that a police force wanted to cut down on the high costs and time; they use up trying to finding some with dementia, when they got lost or go missing.

They said that they would do this by using a tracking device, something which many people with the illness carry just for their own peace of mind and security, as well as being able to carry on with their freedom for a bit longer without carers and family members tagging on.

Then the other day I heard a story about a pensioners pressure group saying, that it was wrong to use equipment as it was against our civil liberties, as it was something which was used on prisoners.

So did they know what they were talking about, or had the assumed wrongly that it was the same equipment i.e. “Tagging”.

It seems to me that the press should have covered the story properly, so that everyone would have understood properly what was being stated in the first place.

Tagging is an item used to see where people are, when they are on parole from prison and is worn around the ankle.

A tracking device for people with dementia can be a watch or pendant, and has an emergency contact button on it if we get lost or need support. Some can even make an emergency call, if they are confused or get lost.  A big difference to tagging?

If a person with dementia is happy with it and can see the difference as well as the benefits why can’t others use their brains and read the article properly, and allow us that extra bit of freedom, without constantly telling us how to live our lives.  

At the end of the day a mobile phone can be tracked by satellite so what is the big story here.

Many of us who have dementia have publicly stated that we would gladly wear or carry a device, if it would help others to find us faster, and in a more cost effective way, rather than costing the public purse thousands of pounds, and many man hours, if we get lost or confused.

If this technology is introduced to the person with dementia when they are in the early stages of the illness, it can help us to be more confident And enjoy our freedom while we can without our carers being worried about what we are doing or where we are.

Screening people for dementia

  In another instance it was reported in the press that Doctors and Researcher’s, were against screening people early for dementia, yet they had not said that in the first place.

I think the doctors concerned were looking into whether it was going to be feasible to do this when there was no miracle treatment available, to everyone who was going to be diagnosed as having the illness.

To be honest I have to agree with this research because, if there is no way of stopping the illness i.e. a cure or a good way of stopping it in its tracks, then what is the point of having an early diagnosis.   

I suppose it lets people like myself, have the extra time to get their lives sorted out, and enjoy what time they have left.

But in any case how would you screen people for dementia?

What would be the age groups involved and would there be a cut off age?

As we understand it there are around 12 main types of dementia and around 120 variations, so how could this be covered properly?

Is it feasible to do this screening and would it be cost effective?

Ethical issues, when there are no known cures available, and medication that is available does not work on every type of dementia?

 

Screening for cancer can be good as there are treatments that work, but what happens to those of us with some form of dementia.

 

So what are the answers?

The press seem to go out of their way to make life uncomfortable for all in dementia research, even though they are trying their level best to come up with some good treatments  

I suppose what we need like it or not is a way of controlling what the press say.

This will stop them having  headlines talking about a miracle cure for dementia, when in all reality the drug being talked about is still being trialled on mice, and no one really knows if it will work or not.

This type of headline is very bad for all those of us who live with this horrible illness, as it leads us to believe we may be cured, very soon.

Some of this could be caused by pharmaceutical companies saying they have found a cure, but surely it should not be in the press, until it has been proved to work on humans rather than mice.

Many people with dementia would trial these medicines if it had a chance of working,

I know that by controlling the media we could end up with no good stories about dementia in the press, so perhaps we more responsible reporting, which would be better for those who live with the illness, and want nothing better than a cure.

But I think a lot of the damage is done by editors who are just out to grab a good headline at our expense. The reporters in general do a very good job, but it’s the editors who rewrite the peace for better headlines, so it can get more readers, many are not interested in the facts, nor are they interested in people who have this illness.     

Odd Week

This has been a very odd week which got distressing at times, as the wheels seemed to come off.

On Wednesday things got so bad, that I got agitated and my poor wife took the brunt of everything that went wrong, but it was one of those very bad weeks with this illness.

Everything was in a fog, and could not see an end to it

I kept typing the wrong letters on the keyboard and could not do my blog, and after a few goes I feared that I would be losing control of it. This did hurt as my blog is my life and it means so much to me.

I also struggled with my Linked In UK,  page and ended up closing it down as it seemed to be sending out invitations to so many people one day that it got embarrassing.

Whether I had something and not realised I just don't know.

Lets hope things get better over the next few days

Honarary Doctorate for person with dementia

I have just heard that a dear friend of mine has been awarded an, Honorary Doctorate by Bradford University for his work in raising awareness in dementia.

Trevor Jarvis who is a quiet and reserved man was one of those responsible for getting me involved in campaigning and raising awareness in dementia, and I will always be in his debt for his support, and dedication showing me the ropes.

When I was diagnosed with early onset Lewy Body Dementia he encouraged me to get involved, and I have never looked back since.

It just goes to show that all of your hard work can be recognised.

Well Done Trevor  

people with dementia and assistive technology

This week we saw this article in the news press and it caused so much uproar that its unbelievable, as many comments are from elderly and some like myself who have dementia.

Sussex Police have bought 15 GPS tags which they hope will save them money searching for pensioners who wander off or go missing.
Chief Inspector Tanya Jones told the Daily Telegraph: "The GPS will be very cost-effective to the police. It will reduce anxiety for the family and really reduce the police time spent on this issue."
But Dot Gibson, general secretary of the National Pensioners Convention accused the police of "trying to get care on the cheap".
"I think they should withdraw it straight away," she said. "Trying to equate somebody who has committed a criminal act with somebody who is suffering dementia is completely wrong.
"I doubt whether anyone in the Cabinet would want their parents dealt with in this way if they were suffering from dementia.
"It looks at the problem in the wrong way. If you've got people in the community who are so bad that they are wandering off at night and are not safe, they should be properly cared for, they shouldn't be tagged.
"It's a crude form of monitoring when the issue needs a much more detailed response than this. This is a back-of-an-envelope response."
There are currently 800,000 people with dementia in the UK. A number of local authorities are already using similar devices to track sufferers, but this is believed to be the first time a police force has taken on such a scheme.
Chief Inspector Tanya Jones, the district commander for Chichester, rejected criticism that the devices could lead to dementia sufferers being viewed as criminals.
"This isn't a tagging device that people use when they are released from prison. It's used with the consent of the family and the individuals concerned," she said.
"It's almost been blown out of proportion that we are trying to tag the 800,000 dementia sufferers in the country. We will only be using these in specific cases.
"It's about finding people quickly before something happens to them, and secondly it's about value for money for the police but that's secondary."

I have always had problems when it comes top assistive technology, because its something which helps everyone in life so why should it be so bad for people who have this illness to use.

I have been told on many occasions that the use of assistive technology is against our civil liberties, but as far as I am concerned I lost those when I was diagnosed with this horrible illness "dementia"  and unless you have the illness you have no real idea wheat life with dementia is like. Assistive technology is a God send in all forms as it allows us to carry on with our own way of life, without other people following us around to see what we are doing and where we are going.

Everyone in society uses assistive technology from, Hearing aids and glasses, to things like mobile phones, computers etc, and so the list goes on. Yet how many know that they are tracked or can be tracked using a mobile phone? is that wrong?

I think there are far too many do goodies in society today, who object without thinking about what they have read and thought about it clearly.
Did they ask someone with the illness for their views, I guess not as they think we are unable to answer for ourselves a lot of the time, and this annoys me.

Like many who have the illness we want to live our lives without causing unnecessary upset or distress, and that could also come into play when it comes to us getting lost, something which can happen at any time.    I trialled the Buddy system for our county council and thought it was brilliant as it gave me that extra bit of confidence, and if needed my wife could have looked on the computer at home to see where I was, but is that so wrong.
If it saves vast sums of money looking for someone then lets just get on with it, as long as it is explained at the early stages of the illness, so we know what it does, and its no something that looks like a gadget used by those just out of prison.

 But these days these gadgets for use with dementia patients are very user friendly, and cannot be seen by others, and bear no resemblance to other tracking devices used by the law courts.

I enjoy walking every day when I can, and enjoy the freedom which comes with it, so please think carefully before you start to say something is wrong for us.

Like many others, my wife gets worried if I am out a long time and she is unsure about where I am, but I always have a mobile phone with me. However I would never object to using a tracking device, because I know that if anything goes wrong it will save a lot of time and possibly money finding me fast and before its too late. 

I also recognise that other peoples time, is just as important to them as my own freedom is important to me, so its a case of respect all round.
   

Dementia and Charities

 

I have often wondered what people get out of being involved with Alzheimer’s and Dementia Charities, as we all have vastly different needs and requirements, depending on the type of dementia and the stage we are in.

For a long time I was quite active with one charity and then stepped back through problems, but at the same time my life was being run by charity work, and there was little time to step back, take it easy and think clearly.

Coupled with this was the fact that my family life took a back seat, and that was becoming very hard.  I really wanted to see more of the family and also spend time with my hobbies, and this was not happening, I guess it becomes too hard to say no.

I know that dementia is a well-known illness, but it does need to be given more of a high profile these days, as many still associate it with an age related illness.

We all know that this is wrong, as there are many under the age of 65 who have the illness, so it can strike at any time and any age.

Many charities and those in government circles still talk about people with the illness, who are 70 years of age and older, yet they forget the thousands of people who were diagnosed under the age of 65, and in some cases well under 65.

I do think that until this is corrected, we will never move on as many  will carry on saying it’s just a normal age related illness  

There is still a lot of stigma attached to dementia’s of all kinds and this must be got rid of as soon as possible. I say that because as we all know Cancer had a lot of stigma attached to it in the 1960s, now it’s gone from there, and we have it in dementia.

There are many charities out in the world today some small and small quite large, but I do wonder whether they are really focused on those with the illness, because to do so would mean having people with dementia actively involved in all levels of the processes.

I admit that not everyone wants to be involved with charities, especially if it means doing a lot of travelling round the country

But many still do it as it keeps their brains active, and it also means the any campaigns are focused on those with the illness. This is because these people really know what it’s like to live with it, and what problems they face on a daily basis.

But in this day and age I do think that charities have a lot to offer, providing they indeed focus on those with the illness, and produce literature which is easy for us all to read.

I say this because many dementia documents are written by professionals with professionals in mind, and use wording that many of us have forgotten about or simply do not understand, or its medical jargon.

All of these charities are different, and I suppose it all depends on whether you wish to be involved with a small but local charity or a large national one, coupled with the fact that some local charities have quite a lot of local activities, which you can take part in. 

 I do recommend that those who can, should get involved in these charities, to do either campaigning, media or other work as it can be fulfilling.

It is also gives us a worthwhile role in society.

I enjoyed my time thoroughly and would do it all again if asked, as I feel that its very important, not only to help others in the future, but by doing something like this you are also helping yourself by keeping your brain active, and nothing can beat that.  

While I do think there is a lot of internal politics, in all businesses and charities

These days, we only have to learn to step back, and take things easy.