Dementia

At just 57 years old, Amrita Francis’ world turned upside down, with an early-onset Alzheimer’s diagnosis that within five years would heavily affect her memory and ability to work. Now at 62 years old, ex-music teacher Amrita still remembers how to play classical piano, and she still enjoys her family. …

Research suggests that leading a healthy lifestyle may help to reduce a person’s risk of developing dementia later in life. The general rule is what is good for the heart is good for the brain, so both should be well looked after with a balanced diet and regular physical and …

As a person’s dementia progresses, difficulties with conversation and communication develop.  It can be harder for the person to express what they want to say as well as harder to understand what is being said to them.  This can cause frustrations for both the person living with dementia and the …

September is World Alzheimer’s Month, an international campaign to raise dementia awareness and challenge stigma. Each year, Alzheimer associations from around the world unite to organise advocacy and information provision events, as well as Memory Walks and fundraising days. This year, the seventh World Alzheimer’s Month, the theme is Let’s talk …

The discovery, for caregivers, that iPads and tablets are a wonderful activity tool for people living with dementia, also brings with it concerns that internet and applications available can be frustrating and how will someone living with dementia avoid becoming overwhelmed. To-date there has been a limited amount of research …

It’s one of the biggest challenges facing the country’s health system – one that will cost the economy $4.5 billion and affect more than 170,000 New Zealanders by 2050. It’s dementia, and 91% of New Zealanders are frightened of it, according to a new survey by Public Trust and Dementia …

Our ability to get around is key to day-to-day life. Many of us need or choose to use a car to get to work, do the shopping or head away on the weekend. It’s important to assess if and how dementia is affecting one’s ability to drive – so we …

The use of ‘e-tagging’ devices in aged residential care in New Zealand is not yet common, but could become so, especially when managing the behaviour of dementia patients who are prone to wandering. In Singapore, there have been a number of pilot programmes using radio-frequency identification tags (RFID) or blue tooth …

A diagnosis of dementia brings a range of changes for the person with the diagnosis and their partner/whanau and friends. Common feelings at the time of diagnosis are shock, sadness, anger and fear, or for some people, relief at having an explanation for the changes that have been occurring. Actively …

Travelling with a PLWD (person living with dementia) requires more planning and care but is still possible for a long time after diagnosis. To make it enjoyable, plans need to take into account any difficulties resulting from cognitive impairment. Be realistic and consider what will work for them now. Modify …