Dementia Action Week is an initiative by Dementia Australia, this year held from the 16th to the 22nd of September, that aims to increase awareness around dementia, reduce stigma, and help support those in our communities living with Dementia.
People with dementia are at a heighted risk of being stigmatized and discriminated against, including social exclusion, loss of dignity, and physical and emotional abuse. However, people with dementia are very often capable and happy to participate in their communities, and desires inclusion. By spreading awareness and building people’s knowledge, Dementia Action Week seeks to progress us towards a more dementia friendly and inclusive community.
Knowledge about dementia is needed in the community.
Dementia is not a single condition, but an umbrella term for a range of diseases where the main feature is significant decline in cognition that cannot be explained by normal aging. This decline in cognition will typically impact on the individual’s thinking, memory, language, mood, and behaviours, however the extent to which the domains are affected vary between people and the progression of the disease. As such, dementia is more than the loss of memory people often associate it with, and it has a profound effect on the individual’s life and the lives of their loved ones.
Common sources of dementia include Alzheimer’s disease, damage from restricted blood flow to the brain (Vascular Dementia) Lewy Body Dementias, and many more. Neurologically, dementia is progressive damage to the nerve cells in the brain (called Neurodegeneration), which leads to loss of important abilities and skills. In most types of dementia, the damage is a result of a buildup of toxic proteins in the brain, which disrupt the normal communication between brain cells.
Dementia is more common in in people above the age of 65, but can happen at any stage of life. Unfortunately, there is no cure for dementia, and treatment/management focuses on supporting the people dealing with dementia and the people that care for them.
The Stages
While each person’s presentation will be unique, symptoms and severity are progressive meaning over time the symptoms and impact on their lives will be more evident. In early stages, people often do not know that they have dementia as the symptoms are quite mild, and often continue to live independently. It can entail some difficulties remembering names, places, or misplacing things, feeling less energetic and shying away from previously enjoyed activities, or having more difficulties in social situations.
As the disease progresses to the middle stage symptoms are more pronounced, and the individual will require more support. Thinking may be harder, more difficulties finding words, life skills such as cooking, hygiene, dressing may be impacted.
In late-stage dementia symptoms are very strong, and the individual will often experience difficulties around communicating, loss of bodily functions and hygiene, movement, and forming memories. In this stage the individual will require a significant amount of support from others.
Quality of Life
Treatment and support, while not a cure, dramatically increases the quality of life of those suffering from dementia and of their loved ones. This can involve medication for associated conditions (such as symptoms of anxiety and depression), staying active and healthy, and staying connected with others.
More information on how to help and support people with dementia live lives of dignity and inclusion can be found on Dementia Australia’s website.