dementia
A blog about dementia including Alzheimers and associated conditions.
5 May
Toxic aluminium link with autism and Alzheimer’s – latest research
Toxic aluminium link with autism and Alzheimer’s – latest research
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22 Apr
Air pollution linked to mental health issues
Air pollution linked to mental health issues
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10 Mar
Aluminium and fluoride in tap water raises risk of dementia – scientific research from Scotland
New scientific research has revealed a greater risk of dementia in people drinking tap water in Scotland loaded with aluminium and fluoride. The research concluded that higher levels of aluminium and fluoride were related to dementia risk in a …
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3 Mar
27 Sep
7 reasons you have brain fog & what to do
Brain fog is a term you may have used before to describe a moment where you forget what you were saying or doing but it could be a symptom of a more serious medical condition. Brain fog can be associated …
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22 May
The long-term effects of concussion in sport
Concussion in sport is an issue that’s hit the headlines with increasing frequency over the last few years, but how much do we really know about the long-term effects of head injuries? What do we know so far? In short, …
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26 Apr
The Future of Concussion in Premier League Football
The University of Birmingham and University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust have launched a new study, supported by the Premier League and funded by The Drake Foundation, to review and potentially enhance concussion diagnosis in football. This study is running …
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14 Sep
This week in health – 14 September 2018
You might agree that health seems to have suddenly become a more popular topic than ever in the media, with breaking news stories almost every day. Here are a few that caught our attention here at talkhealth in the past …
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3 Mar
Health news round up
There’s been quite a bit of interesting health news this week; from footballers and dementia, to artificial embryos and ovarian cancer. Blood tests and ovarian cancer – doctors have revealed that a blood test every 4 months could help women that …
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31 Jan
Can a robot really help the elderly?
You may have seen in the news that researchers from Middlesex University and the University of Bedfordshire are using £2m of EU and Japanese funding to develop robots that will be culturally and socially aware, in order to help the …
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19 Apr
This Week in Health News: Treatment for Skin Cancer and Alzheimer’s Disease; The Junior Doctors Dispute Wares On
Over the last few weeks, we’ve covered a number of positive health stories about potential breakthroughs in the treatment of deadly diseases including cancer. The potential good news continues this week, with the announcement of a new combination of drugs …
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23 Mar
Chronic Stress & Anxiety Can Damage The Brain Leading To Depression & Dementia
A new scientific review paper warns that people must find ways to reduce chronic stress and anxiety in their lives or they could be increasing their risk for developing depression and even dementia in later life. The review was led …
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14 Aug
Live self determined-Die self determined
In my last blog I wrote about the process of Assisted Dying in Switzerland. A country I have loved to ski and walk in for many years and a country I feel very at home in, as do my two …
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9 Aug
To die with dignity?
In this weeks news was the story of a woman in her seventies who travelled to a clinic in Switzerland to take advantage of Swiss law, which allows an individual to choose to end their life. The article suggested that …
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2 Jul
Living with Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer’s diseaseis the most common type of dementia. It is a chronic neurodegenerative disease that usually starts slowly and gets progressively worse over time. Symptoms The most common early symptom of Alzheimer’s is short-term memory loss, where sufferers have difficulty remembering …
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7 Jul
NHS Accident and Emergency Update
It has been some time since I last posted on Talk Health, the delay has simply been down to pressure of work and also I suppose partly a dearth of decent topics on which to expound. However I ended up …
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19 Mar
Nutrition & Hydration Week 17-23 March
Water – did you know that it’s the best fuel for a healthy life – and in fact one of the most precious and important commodities in the world? Water makes up 2/3rds of our body and therefore it is …
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5 Dec
Dementia biggest global health challenge facing our generation
In a policy brief launched today, Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI) has announced that the number of people living with dementia worldwide in 2013 is now estimated at 44 million (estimated at 35 million in 2010) reaching 76 million in 2030 …
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4 Sep
Don’t depend on EHIC when travelling with a medical condition
Warnings to UK travellers not to rely solely on the EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) for emergency treatment while they are on holiday should be heeded especially by people with pre-exiting medical conditions. www.MedicalTravelCompared.com, the first stand-alone comparison site for …
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31 Jul
God, Please Help My Mother Die
I am not a religious person. I’m not even sure I believe in a higher power, let alone one true God. Even so, for the past several years I often find myself praying. When I do pray, it is always …
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25 Jun
Ways to Care for a Loved One With Dementia
Individuals with dementia require more specialized care as their condition progresses. The disease affects various cognitive abilities of the brain. The usual cause of dementia is ageing. However, medical conditions and injuries can also lead to progressive or static loss …
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10 Jun
The Alzheimer’s Person and Baby Doll Therapy
Those of us who are Alzheimer’s caregivers are used to seeing abilities ebb away. My mom — whom we call Mummy — was once a highly social person who always had to stay busy. Cooking and baking were her passions, …
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4 Jun
Alzheimers leaves clues in blood
With approximately 75% of the estimated 36 million Alzheimer’s sufferers worldwide yet to receive a reliable diagnosis, the potential impact on the lives of possible sufferers, present and future, could be huge. Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease most frequently …
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21 May
Talking about dementia still too tough for half of us
Almost half of UK adults would find it difficult to tell their own family if they thought they had dementia according to a poll commissioned by Alzheimer’s Society published today (Tuesday 21 May). The YouGov survey – released …
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2 May
First fully comprehensive free comparison website for care services goes live
New online information profiles that will help people to choose, compare and comment on care homes and other care services is being launched today by the Care and Support Minister Norman Lamb. The new profiles, part of the NHS Choices …
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1 May
GPS tagging for dementia patients
Sussex police are piloting a scheme to tag dementia patients and Chief Inspector Tanya Jones has been quoted as saying “The GPS will be very cost-effective to the police. It will reduce anxiety for the family and really reduce the …
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17 Apr
Something’s Wrong With My Husband…
Written by Lyn McLaurine “Lyn, it’s the nursing home. We’re calling to talk about Bill’s rapid decline.” Bill is adored at Prairie Sunset. He has become part of their family. Because of his young age (he just turned 58 …
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16 Apr
People with dementia & hearing loss failed by lack of joined-up health & social care services warns charity
Charity Action on Hearing Loss and University College London’s Deafness Cognition and Language Research Centre are urging NHS England to substantially improve the quality of life experienced by people with dementia and hearing loss – and save taxpayers £28 million …
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13 Apr
Eileen Elizabeth 1920 – 2012
My mother sadly passed away 16th December last year. I like and hope to think that it was the release she would have wanted from suffering from dementia, but who knows…… Although she was nearly 93 and had been suffering from dementia …
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10 Apr
How one picture can be worth a thousand words
Written by Darren Gormley A few years ago I was contacted by a speech therapist who asked if I would visit Mark, an 82 year old man diagnosed with mixed dementia. The speech therapist had been working with Mark as part of …
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3 Apr
When it’s no longer safe to drive
Many people will spend decades behind the wheel of a car. For some this is a lifelong passion and a symbol of independence, while for others it’s just a necessary part of modern life. However, there comes a time when we …
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1 Apr
Repetitive Questions: Facing The Many Different Stages of Alzheimer’s Disease
When you are caring for someone with memory loss, the days all run together. Indeed, it may often seem as though you are living in a remake of the movie Groundhog Day, where nothing ever changes. Life is like a …
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28 Mar
Cold sores and memory skills linked
Whilst reading the Mail Online this week an article about cold sores grabbed my attention. If, like me, you suffer with cold sores, you may be suprised to know researchers have discovered you may have an increased risk of impaired …
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21 Mar
The most important job of my life
Written by Rhonda Brantley You’ve heard about Alzheimer’s and dementia for years, but never suspected it would creep into your own home. Much like cancer, a house fire or losing your life savings, we just don’t anticipate bad things happening to us. Those …
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13 Mar
London takes its place among healthcare innovation elite cities of the world
Jeremy Hunt launches London Centre of Innovation Excellence and new app library to help people live well. The UK’s worldwide reputation for innovation in healthcare will be sealed today as Jeremy Hunt launches London’s new centre of innovation excellence established …
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12 Mar
Finding the Humor in Dementia
Alzheimer’s disease is the pits. Yet, even in the midst of all the pain, frustration and anger, there is sometimes the funny. Oh sure, the humor isn’t the hilarious, laugh-out-loud kind, but it certainly can make you smile or relieve …
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8 Mar
Talking to the family about Alzheimer’s
Many people are afraid to talk about mental health. In many ways, it is one of the last great taboos in modern society. But talking is very important. When a loved one begins to lose their mental faculties, they may …
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20 Feb
Patients to get better care from healthcare assistants
A new independent review will look at how the training and support of healthcare and care assistants can be strengthened so they give better care to patients, Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt announced today. The review will be led by Times …
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31 Dec
Health 2012: a year in headlines
In 2012 we’ve found that the standards of health reporting have – largely – improved. Where there have been health scares these have been sensibly and even-handedly reported, ‘wonder cures’ seem to have hit the headlines far less often than we’ve …
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27 Dec
Growing old and what we need
Demographics of growing older. Interestingly I have been thinking about this of late with my field of work we often forget there are a growing number of ‘younger’ old people who are relatively fit and healthy contributing to society the …
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27 Dec
Should patients be routinely screened for dementia?
This morning our Founder, Deborah Wyatt, was interviewed by Nikki Bedi on BBC Radio London talking about whether dementia screening will scare patients from seeing their GP. According to a story in the Telegraph today, doctors will be paid for …
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21 Dec
Pioneering dementia research projects receive £22m Government boost
Twenty one pioneering research projects to boost dementia diagnosis rates and trial ground breaking treatments have been selected to receive a share of £22million of Government funding, Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt announced today. Visiting pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly’s UK dementia …
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1 Dec
Life beyond the front door
Life beyond the big front door. This Blog is about dementia strategies in real terms. I was lucky enough today to listen to our community engagement officer talk so eloquently about life beyond the front door and the need for …
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31 Oct
Dementia Patients Need Urgent Support After Diagnosis
There is an urgent need for support from outside the family after diagnosis of dementia according to a study led by researchers from the University of Hertfordshire. The study, published in PLOS Medicine, explores how healthcare professionals can better understand …
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22 Oct
Behaviour that might challenge
Behaviours that need special skills and understanding within the care home setting-Wandering The wandering resident needs specific understanding. The prevalence of wandering behaviour is difficult to assess but estimates suggest that it will occur in up to 25% of people …
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19 Oct
Three Dimensional Care
Although I really am not one for statistics I knew at some point I would need to blog the current dementia stats if only to help myself revisit the frequency at which this disease touches people lives and how this …
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10 Oct
New readers catch-up 2: Causes/contributory factors
In my effort to try and understand the disease, I’ve looked so far at three possible causes/contributory factors. Unlike some of the stuff that you can find online, these have all been discussed and researched by perfectly reputable scientists, and …
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27 Sep
Thoughts on recognising what are signs of distress and indicators of comfort in those we care for with dementia
Cure sometimes, treat often, comfort always. Hippocrates It’s an interesting concept to consider distress and comfort as something we may be able to measure to produce specific interventions and better care outcomes for those we care for. It is difficult …
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25 Sep
Department of Health launches dementia awareness campaign
The Department of Health, in collaboration with the Alzheimer’s Society has launched a brand new campaign aimed at helping to assist with early diagnosis of dementia. The campaign was launched last week to coincide with World Alzheimer’s Day (September 21). …
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18 Sep
Never underestimate the affect of pain in people living with dementia
I have recently been working with two residents in our care homes that have been showing signs of agitation and distress. Working closely with their GPs in reviewing their treatments, we have considered the part pain may be playing in …
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11 Sep
Young Dementia
Dementia is currently high on both the political and the news agendas, with an estimated 800,000 people in the UK thought to have the condition. The Prime Minister launched his ‘Dementia Challenge’ back in March and popular figures such as …
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6 Sep
That nagging feeling
I visited my mother in her care home today and the nagging feeling of have we done enough resurfaced once again. Whilst having lost the ability to speak for quite a while my mother does make sounds and grunts to …
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29 Aug
Turn of Mind – A review
I am pleased to ‘report’ that I have now read ‘Turn of Mind’ by Alice LaPlante and would highly recommend it as both a great read and as a way to further understand dementia. A definite page turner and written …
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15 Aug
Turn of Mind
Alice LaPlante’s book ‘Turn of Mind’ which drew on her experience from her mother’s condition of Alzheimers was the first fiction book to win the Wellcome Trust Book Prize, awarded for outstanding medical writing . It is this month’s Daily Mail book of …
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23 Jul
The Power of Animals
I went to visit my mother the other day with the familiar feeling of dread in my stomach arising. The last few visits she has been extremely bad, and the visit before last was in A&E has she had had …
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4 Jul
Eat 40% less and live 20 years longer
Today I forgot my lunch. Typical rush in the morning and being hassled by my kids to get out of the house to start the 25 minute school run in the car. I had some errands to run today, so …
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2 Jul
Dementia Awareness Survey Results
Last month’s talkhealth survey came up with some very interesting results about people’s general understanding and views upon dementia – I certainly found it very interesting… There appears to be a wide difference in people’s understanding of dementia ranging from …
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28 Jun
Conference selling out so quickly – dementia a national crisis
Dementia – A National Crisis is a conference at Manchester Conference Centre featuring an array of expert speakers. Each speaker will outline the challenges faced in combating dementia and how better outcomes can be achieved. This event would be beneficial …
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19 Jun
Beacons of hope
This is the title of my latest post. It lists links to other posts which discuss positive and even inspirational things I’ve come across in my search: http://adventureswithdementia.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/beacons-of-hope.html +1167
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9 Jun
Life on hold
On online forums carers, and not just carers for people with dementia, complain about their life ‘being on hold’. It’s pretty obvious really – life is never on hold. The sun rises and sets, you get a day older, your …
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23 May
Accentuate the positives
On the journey from mild cognitive impairment and on through various stages of dementia, discussions with professionals, at which patients are very often present, tend to focus on deficits. I have been very aware of this recently after help from …
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2 May
It’s not all about suffering……….and imaginary conversations needs to be properly investigated
The admiral nurse pointed this out to me and it fits in so well with the person-centred approach to dementia. She was responding to my saying that S’s ‘conversations’ with the people she imagines are now quite often calm and …
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1 May
Getting into bed and staying there?
The family GP doesn’t do house calls anymore In late May 2009, my 87 year old mother-in-law fell. She got back into bed and stayed there. She was unwilling to get out of bed and be taken by ambulance to …
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25 Apr
The lucky one
I’m sure that this is a common experience for people in situations similar to mine. I’ve actually lived alone at various points in my life and mostly I’ve found it O.K. My current situation is not remotely like that, because …
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11 Apr
Channel 4 and Care in Dementia Homes
I have recently been speaking with a documentary production team for Channel 4 about experiences people have had with Dementia Care Homes. They are interested particularly in the following topics: – Prescription of anti-psychotics – Finding a Dementia Care home …
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9 Apr
Carers in the home
Last week there was a lot in the British press about carers in the home and you may even have caught Deborah from talkhealth talking on BBC London radio about the issues surrounding the care provided for people in their …
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26 Mar
Dementia care discussion on BBC Radio London
Did anyone listen to BBC London this morning? Nikki Bedi, who is sitting in for Vanessa Feltz this week was talking about dementia care. She featured some heartbreaking stories from people who are caring or have cared for loved ones …
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8 Mar
New code established to safeguard older people’s dignity in care
Britain’s biggest pensioner organisation, the National Pensioners Convention (NPC) has launched a high profile Dignity Code which sets out minimum standards for the dignified treatment of older people, whether in hospital or the community. The Code has been widely supported …
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26 Feb
The inevitable….
Having had my mother diagnosed with dementia – you wonder what comes next…..she seems almost fine and as I’ve said before sounds almost the same and dresses almost the same – but clearly the key is in the word ‘almost’. …
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15 Feb
Happy Birthday!
It’s my mother’s 92nd birthday on 18th February, but unfortunately like last years she will have no idea that this day is any different from any other day. However on her 90th she did understand what was happening, but sadly it …
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23 Jan
Maggie – A lifetime defined by dementia – I don’t think so….
I have been looking forward to seeing the film ‘The Iron Lady’ due to all the hype and in particular to see how the aspect of dementia has been depicted, so Sunday afternoon saw my daughter who is 19 and …
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17 Jan
No holds Barred – no more inhibitions…..
My mother has always been a relatively forth right person and freely spoken her mind. When realising that perhaps she might have over stepped the mark in voicing such opinions and causing offence she would quickly make light of the …
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16 Jan
Going for a song
My mother has always been quite sensible and philosophical about getting old which makes live much easier. One thing that she was happy to do at quite an early stage was to sign power of attorney to myself and one …
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9 Jan
It’s all in the Noodles
I should have realised something wasn’t quite right when every meal my mother served contained Noodles. From being a very conservative cook – ie meat and two veg, it was a real surprise when my children came home from staying …
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6 Jan
Memory loss begins at 45
Researchers have found that memory loss, as well as other brain skills, begins to decline at 45 which is much earlier than previously thought. According to the researchers involved in this study diseases such as dementia are thought to take …
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30 Dec
My first blog – vascular dementia
Hi – I’m Catriona and part of the talkhealth team……I’ve had Deborah on my case since we started getting serious about our talkhealth blog to share with you my experiences of having an elderly parent in the advanced stages of …
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