What it is - a condition, a syndrome, a collection of conditions that cause distress. It is epitomised by confusion.
What it isn't - a disease, yet there are over 100 different diseases that can cause a clinical dementia.
How can we build more demential friendly communities?
Bring understanding
- Don't correct
- Don't argue
- Laugh with them
- Validate their world
Music, dance and touch are very important to working with dementia patients.
What are we consuming that affects the neurochemistry of our brain? These re big questions - alcohol drugs, even the level of stress and constant chatter.
What can you do to stave this off? Have a health lifestyle - these are our choices in our hands
One of the things we spoke about off air and I can see we didn't come back to it on air was the element of touch in dementia care. When more and more homes have a policy of no touch, it withdraws a fundamental need for us as humans. Interestingly primary schools have the same policy.
Useful sites
Dementia Behaviour Management Advisory Service - DBMAS 24 hour helpline 1800 699 799
Alzheimers Australia - 24 hour helpline and a good resource for fact sheets
Dr David Permutter - Inflammation - strong relationship to dementia
Triple H and Tagumpay Inspire Concert
Fusion Sleep in Your Car
Chatswood Sleeps Rough