Dementia and Awareness
Dementia is a devil of a challenge! Latest news is that the most recent and excitedly welcomed new drugs don't actually do very much to slow and certainly not to stop its undesired advancement. Over 1 million people in the UK (roughly 1 in 11 people over the age of 65 and notably over 70,000 under 65) now suffer from some form of dementia, with Alzheimer's by far the most common. Yet for care purposes this awful, incurable disease is not considered an illness but a 'social' situation.
'Denial' is a typical early reaction and it's common to put off going to the doctor. While diagnosis numbers have hit record highs, a significant portion of the population with dementia remains undiagnosed. There is evidence that getting a dementia diagnosis can help, but this also means facing unwelcome reality - and it can be quite a lengthy process, too.
OK so now to the positives. There are three big charities all hard at work: Alzheimer's Society which provides support and campaigning, Alzheimer's Research UK which funds research and Dementia UK, which provides specialist Admiral Nurses. And there is a wealth of helpful information on each of their websites.
In a few weeks time (18-24 May) Dementia Action Week, the annual awareness campaign led by Alzheimer’s Society, will remind us that 'it's going to take a whole society to beat dementia'.
Some of the people we meet just going about our normal lives will almost certainly have dementia, some may be in the early stages and living alone, and only just beginning to realise they're not functioning quite as they were.
Whatever the stage reached, small acts of understanding can make a real difference. This can include speaking clearly and kindly, offering reassurance to someone who seems confused, or simply taking a moment to listen - compassion goes a long way. By being a little more aware in our day-to-day interactions, we help create a community where everyone feels safe, respected, and included.
My big lessons from personal experience: don't tell them they've already asked that question, just answer it again. And try to live in their moment, go with their flow, it's amazing what lovely conversations can ensue.
People with dementia often become more withdrawn over time as they socialise or communicate less, so it's important that they still have opportunities to take part in activities they enjoy, without any pressure. Lymington Dementia Action Group organises a range of activity and support groups which also support the 'carers', typically partners of many decades, who also find themselves feeling increasingly isolated and alone. These include the Tuesday morning Dementia Support and Activities Group at the United Reform Church in the centre of Lymington, and the Thursday morning Dementia Support Group for Carers at the Coates Centre. Whilst the Malt Cinema at Lymington Community Centre hosts daytime 'dementia friendly' screenings of all suitable films, including refreshments afterwards and the opportunity for some gentle social time too. And local dementia care homes Colten Care's Linden House and Care Homes UK's Sway Place also host special activities and events for non residents.
We'll have an update on this important subject just before Dementia Action Week begins next month. And the Oakhaven Hospice Admiral Nurse, Janet, will be at four of the charity’s shops during the week to answer any questions you might have about dementia - details now in the diary below.
Care Home Companionship
Colten Care's Linden House is a specialist Dementia Care Home in Lymington, rated 'Outstanding' by sector regulator the Care Quality Commission, where my own mother spent her final years and I can vouch for the tender loving care she received from her 'family' there. The stress and distress of caring for her in the early years of realisation had almost certainly shortened my father's life. Once in the calm, capable care of the team at Linden House she began to feel more secure, and shown respect for her dignity regained a good deal of her confidence.
Recently residents at Linden House gathered to watch and help as five tiny, fluffy ducklings hatched out of their eggs in an incubator. Companionship Team Leader Sian Harris particularly noted "one precious moment when our new arrivals took their first swim in a repurposed washing-up bowl. It brought a lot of laughter and no-one minded getting splashed a little.” People with dementia can often recall memories from childhood and being close-up with the ducklings unlocked some: John Porter recalled his years growing up on a farm, sharing stories of the ducks he once cared for, and Pamela Bradley remembered the ducks she kept in her family’s garden. Sian said that perhaps the most touching aspect of the births was the response from residents who are non-verbal. “Their smiles, laughter and engaged expressions spoke volumes about the joy the ducklings brought,” she said.
Linden House is one of several Colten Care homes to have hosted the births of ducklings in previous spring seasons. The babies tend to stay for up to two weeks then go on to a permanent home.
Best Friends
Dogstival, that brilliant doggy day out, should be now be in the diary for all dog lovers: on Saturday & Sunday 30 & 31 May, Burley Park will be transformed into a doggy paradise with totally unique and bonkers canine fun. There is by now an enormous amount of event information on the main Dogstival website, with daily news and updates on social media too.
A crowded event has the potential to confuse someone with dementia, but the presence of a canine companion can be calming and comforting, especially if the person has had dogs in the past. Dogs have an incredible ability to understand, empathise, and behave accordingly.
Listen to the Music!
It is well known that music can be of great benefit to people with dementia and many of us will remember actor Vicky McClure's brilliant 'Our Dementia Choir'. Simply listening to music can reduce anxiety, agitation and depression while improving mood and cognitive function. Music can also be a powerful tool to trigger memories, and it's amazing how the words of songs from long ago can be recalled - and sung! - when verbal skills have otherwise declined.
An appropriate moment to remind you about this year's upcoming Solent Music Festival. This year's week-long celebration of music across the centuries runs from Monday 25 through to Sunday 31 May, and features a magnificent 1832 Érard grand piano - championed by Chopin, Liszt, and Mendelssohn - which will be heard in multiple concerts throughout the week. Once seated comfortably in beautiful St Thomas Church with its fabulous acoustic, we'll all be in our own worlds to appreciate the exquisite quality of this wonderful music event!
SOLENT MUSIC FESTIVAL - CONCERTS AND TICKETS
A Great New Forest Breakfast
The Balmer Lawn Hotel is pleased to be part of this month's Great New Forest Marque Breakfast, which celebrates the produce grown, reared and crafted within the New Forest and supports local producers.
Using carefully selected ingredients from New Forest Marque members, the Balmer Lawn chefs have curated four very special breakfast dishes which the team will be serving between 10am and 1pm tomorrow Saturday 25 April. With its lovely views across the open New Forest, The Lodge provides a beautiful backdrop for the morning and a chance to enjoy the landscape that inspires this menu.
Choose from the New Forest Brunch @ £25 or splash out on the Bottomless version @ £40 which includes bottomless sparkling wine! A small selection of cocktails will also be served including the Forest Berry Fizz featuring New Forest strawberries and Balmer Lawn Gin, alongside the New Forest Cosmopolitan. Click here for the menu and phone 01590 623116 now to book!
News and Events Update
After last week's feature about our lowland heath, the weekend's extensive forest fire on Bagshot Moor was very sad news indeed - especially at a time of year when ground nesting birds are at their busiest. The fire took place shortly after a vicious-break in at East Boldre's Village Hall which has upset everyone and set the refurbishment timetable back. But the team won’t be deterred and the community will rally, as it did to save the village shop. And meanwhile at Longslade this lovely foal is the first of this year's to be spotted by our team, and soon there will be frolicking foals all over the forest!
Meanwhile, lots of events have been added this week to the Events Calendar; as we finally welcome warmer weather we'll soon be into the season of fêtes and fayres and from next week July events will be included in the Diary below.
This week I went to see the Witch/Craft Exhibition at St Barbe. It is fascinating. Not for pictures you'd want on your walls, albeit the rich colours and textures of Anne Jackson’s powerful tapestries are absolutely stunning, but for the discovery experience! Wow!
Wishing you happy, sunny weekends - the wind is dropping!
Best wishes Jane
Read the rest of this week's newsletter here
And check out What's On in the Diary of Upcoming Events!
Opt to receive Weekly What's On e-newsletter
Never miss out! Weekly What's On is sent out as an e-newsletter weekly on Friday mornings, click here to receive it direct to your inbox week in and week out, and never miss out on What's On and Coming Up!
