Adaptive Minds

*Also note most library charges drop on overdue books for people over the age of 75.

225,000 people will develop dementia this year - that’s one every three minutes. But far too many of them will get no information, support or treatment to help them manage this devastating condition and plan for the future. In a recent survey by Alzheimer’s Society, 90% of people said were dissatisfied with the support they received after their diagnosis. And I am one of them. Being told I had dementia was hard. I’d gone to the hospital on my own and was with the doctor for less than five minutes. He delivered this life-changing news with so little compassion and tact - it was as if I was being told I had tonsillitis. But the hardest thing wasn’t the diagnosis itself, it was that there was no support and very little information. I simply went home and hid under my duvet. I am lucky though. I have a loving family who have been there to support me both during my diagnosis and throughout the four years I have been living with dementia. But not everyone is as lucky as me. That’s why I want everyone diagnosed with dementia to be properly supported . They should be given information about their condition, about potential treatments that may help with the symptoms and about any local services available. They may also just need someone to talk to. Everyone diagnosed with dementia should have access to a Dementia Adviser or Support Worker who can help with all these things. This isn’t too much to ask. So I’m asking the three main party leaders to commit to this in their General Election manifestos . Surely the least people with dementia can expect is a little help after their diagnosis. If we can get all of our political leaders to recognise the importance of this issue now, then they have to do something about it in the next parliament when they’re in office.   If you agree please sign this petition and let’s make sure no one faces dementia alone. You can leave a comment about why you’re supporting the campaign below. Thank you.   Shelagh Robinson  

We just finished up a unit on dementia in my class on cross-cultural aging, and I realized that I had never really thought of it before-- I had never really even known what dementia was before. If ...

These tips ensure you will have time to enjoy the holidays, while also taking care of yourself. This is vital for your health and well-being. And it can help you to be a better caregiver who is more rested, healthier -- both physically and mentally -- and less apt to feel resentful. It might even make caregiving a little easier.

I have read many articles that claim music can have a real effect on someone with Alzheimer's, due to it triggering old memories and connecting with a part of their life that feels more familiar than the times they are now in. This year I have bought my Nan a favourite album of hers to play during Christmas Day. The above article looks deeper into this idea and recommends a company that has created an album specifically for people with dementia. I found this a fascinating idea and read. See what you think...  

Chancellor George Osborne is to announce a £15 million boost for research to find new treatments to slow down or prevent the onset of dementia.