Carers' Corner

Middle-aged men who physically act out their dreams while asleep are five times more likely to develop dementia, researchers have found.
Moving around, walking, talking or hitting out while asleep is the strongest predictor that a man will develop dementia with Lewy bodies – the second most common form of dementia in the elderly after Alzheimer's.
Another example would be unconsciously mimicking the action of holding a steering wheel while dreaming about driving a car.
Physically acting out dreams is a condition known as rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behaviour disorder.

Nine years ago, at the age of 81, George Spencer had a massive stroke that left him in need of round-the-clock care.
He is unaware of his surroundings and unable to communicate; he is fed and medicated through a tube because he can’t swallow, is doubly incontinent, at high risk of pressure sores, and in constant danger of suffocating, choking, falling out of bed or slipping from his bath chair. He is largely bed-bound, and staff in his Suffolk nursing home use a hoist to move him.

The Telegraph take up the report:

As a person's dementia develops, it is likely to have an impact on some of their abilities but there will still be lots that the person can enjoy doing, both individually and with others. Maintaining existing skills, as far as possible, can give the person pleasure and boost their confidence. For this reason, it is important to help them find activities that they enjoy doing, and to continually adapt them to meet the person's changing interests and needs, throughout the illness.

http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php?documentID=90

The following request comes from Carers Trust:

We are inviting any person who cares for someone with dementia to complete our survey — part of a new research project to help us understand this group’s needs and improve future services for them.

The survey coincides with a dementia roundtable event hosted today (7th March) by Carers Trust and Alzheimer’s Society and attended by Carers Trust President HRH The Princess Royal.

A strong message from the event was that despite ever-increasing demands, carers for people with dementia feel strongly that their needs are not being recognised.

Use your voice to improve local health & social care services in Cheshire East by joining Healthwatch. You may want to help sign-post people to appropriate services, keep up-to-date with recent healthcare developments, or voice your opinion on board meetings.

Email healthwatchce@cvsce.org.uk for further information

Alzheimer's Society monthly magazine available now via Pdf download.

http://alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/download_info.php?fileID=1631

Coconut oil is in the news again...
I know some of our members have used it, would be interesting to see if you have any comments on this report?

http://coconutoil.com/speech-gone-due-to-alzheimers-returns-after-starti...

Hi all, though most of you are not managers of a care facility, I think this is worth sharing...

This is a short introduction to using information and communication technology (ICT) in activities for people with dementia. It is aimed at managers and staff in the care sector, and those who organise activities for people with dementia. It's a plain language guide about using mainstream technologies - you don't need to be technically minded. We hope it will be useful for you whether you are new to this topic or already have some experience of using ICTs in dementia support.

Age UK Cheshire, on behalf of the North West NHS would like to know if any of our members are interested in trialling a new website which is currently under construction. Diane, your community manager, is meeting fortnightly with NHS to help develop this brand new facility for all living with dementia, and those that want to capture their own memories. If you feel you would like to help we are looking for volunteers willing to travel to the Hartford (Northwich office) on Friday 22nd February 10.30 - 12.00pm within our training suite.

Please let me know if you can help.

Thank you !