Categories for Dementia
December 18, 2018 8:00 am
Whilst there is no way to prevent dementia and research continues to find out more about the disease, there are many ways we can reduce our risk of developing dementia as we get older. A healthy lifestyle, diet, and exercise are all contributing factors so it’s a good idea to start implementing better habits early on to reduce your risk. Caring for your brain and heart Your brain is fed by blood vessels, if these are deprived of food and oxygen they will underperform and often can be the cause of dementia including Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy bodies (read more about these here). Protecting and caring for your brain will often help you care for your heart. Here are some...
November 22, 2018 8:30 am
In short, Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia. Dementia is not a disease, keep reading to find out more. Dementia is not a disease, it is caused by diseases affecting the brain and is the name for a group of symptoms including memory, problem-solving, thinking and perception. There are many diseases which damage the brain and cause dementia, Alzheimer’s is one of these and the most common. Others include; – Frontal Temporal (Picks), – Lewy Body, – Vascular Continue reading: 6 Things You Should Know About Dementia What is Alzheimer’s disease? Alzheimer’s is where structures build up inside the brain and disrupt how nerve cells work, eventually causing them to die. As the symptoms progress, it causes problems...
December 7, 2017 11:03 am
Caring for a loved one with dementia can be quite challenging for most families. The tips posted below can be extremely helpful for family, friends or carers when trying to communicate with the person who has dementia. Improving your communication skills will help make caregiving less stressful and will likely improve the relationship with your loved one. Set a positive mood for interaction- your attitude and body language communicate your feelings stronger than your words. Try speaking in a pleasant manner with a softer tone of voice and positive facial expressions to convey your message. Get the persons attention- when you need to speak, keep distractions to a minimum. Try turning off the TV and closing the curtains. Before beginning...
November 29, 2017 4:01 pm
A new study posted in the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry found that marriage could in fact lower the risk of developing dementia. Combined results of 15 studies with data including 800,000 participants, finds that people who remain single are at a greater risk of developing dementia than people who are married by 42%. Widowers were 20% more likely to develop the condition. The risk of dementia between those who were married and divorced showed no difference. It’s important to note that these findings are based only on observational studies and no firm conclusions about cause and effect can be drawn. However, it is suggested by the researchers that marriage may help both partners to have healthier lifestyles, including exercising more, eating a healthy diet, and...
November 3, 2017 4:25 pm
On Saturday 21st of October we were honoured to host our second fundraising event in aid of a charity close to our hearts, Alzheimer’s Research UK. The charity is making pioneering steps in devising treatments to prevent, slow down and ultimately cure dementia. Having experienced the disease in both a professional and personal setting Home Care Preferred are delighted to be able to support their work where we can. Our ‘We’ll Meet Again’ World War 2 musical was enjoyed by young and old alike – many donned their finest 1940’s inspired gear and really got into the spirit of the evening. The Compton Players were once again on fine form performing the show with passion and pizzazz. It was lovely...
August 14, 2017 5:11 pm
A new report suggest over a third of dementia diagnoses could potentially be avoided by addressing aspects of one’s lifestyle including exercise, education, blood pressure and hearing. There were around 45 million people living with dementia in 2015, with recent figures showing this is set to rise; in England and Wales alone it is estimated that there will be a 57% increase in people living with dementia by 2040, with numbers set to hit 1.2million, driven predominantly by people living longer. But the new report from the Lancet Commission on dementia prevention, intervention and care, stressed that dementia is not an inevitable part of ageing – and that action can be taken to decrease risk. “There are a lot of...
July 18, 2017 3:20 pm
A major study, undertaken by a team of scientists at Tohuku University in Japan, indicates a daily intake of any citrus fruits such as oranges, grapefruits, lemons or limes can cut the risk of developing dementia by almost a quarter. Various studies have suggested that citrus fruits can protect the brain against the damage that leads to dementia. Citric acid contains the chemical nobiletin which, in animal tests, has been shown to slow or reverse impairment of memory. However this new research – published in the British Journal of Nutrition – is the first major study to investigate the effect citrus fruit consumption might have on large numbers of those most at risk. Scientists tracked more than 13,000 middle-aged or...
May 17, 2017 9:56 am
To mark Dementia Awareness Week 2017, Home Care Preferred have pledged to raise awareness regarding the condition. With the help of local production house Crooked House Films and two talented school children from Eversley Primary School, we have created a short educational film shedding light on the common misconceptions about dementia and pointing people to where they can find support and more information. The film went live on Monday evening (15th May) and received over 10,000 hits on Facebook in the first 24 hours! Dementia is a condition close to our hearts. Every day we support individuals and families who are living with the condition and many members of the Home Care Preferred team have also been touched by dementia in...
February 14, 2017 10:26 am
Alzheimer’s Society has launched a new matching service that will enable volunteers to connect to people with dementia over shared hobbies and interests. Side by Side is an innovative matching service that has been launched by the charity this valentines day. It highlights a totally new approach to volunteering. A third of people with dementia lose friends after their diagnosis, and nearly two thirds who live on their own feel lonely. It is vital that those affected are able to remain part of their community and continue to participate in past-times and activities they enjoy. By taking part in activities with the support of a volunteer with similar interests, they can continue with their hobbies – or even find new ones...
January 5, 2017 11:36 am
People living near a busy road have an increased risk of dementia, according to research published in the scientific journal The Lancet. According to the study around one in 10 cases of Alzheimer’s in urban areas could be associated with living in close proximity to heavy traffic. It found that those who live closest to major roads were up to 12% more likely to receive a dementia diagnosis. This conclusion came through tracking approximately 6.6 million people for more than 10 years. However, the study did not determine if pollution is directly detrimental to the brain; the increased risk in developing dementia could also be a collateral result of respiratory and cardiac problems caused by traffic fumes. It could...
