Imagine yourself not being able to remember what you had for breakfast, or what you did last week or who you talked to an hour ago. Imagine not being able to remember your fondest childhood memories or memorable holidays and moments with friends and family. Imagine not being able to think straight and forever having to live inside an unsolvable puzzle of thoughts. These ideas are some of what a dementia sufferer has to go through every hour of every day of every week.
Dementia is a set of symptoms that may include memory loss and difficulties with thinking, problem-solving or language. These changes are largely small to begin with, but for somebody with dementia they can become severe enough to impact daily life. Someone with dementia may also experience changes in their behavior or mood.
Dementia is usually caused by degeneration in the cerebral cortex, the part of the brain responsible for thoughts, memories, actions, and personality. The most common causes of dementia include diseases in which the brain cells degenerate and die more quickly than they would as part of the normal ageing process. The changes usually happen because of a build-up of abnormal proteins in the brain.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia and accounts for 60-80% of all dementia cases. Alzheimer's is not a normal part of aging. The greatest known risk factor is increasing age, and the majority of people with Alzheimer's are 65 and older. However, Alzheimer's isn’t just a disease affecting the older aged citizens. Approximately 1 in 20 people under the age of 65 are diagnosed with this fatal disease too.
Alzheimer's is a progressive disease, which means it gradually worsens over time. In its early stages there is a medium loss of memory however with late-stage Alzheimer's, those diagnosed lose the ability to make and carry on conversations as well as responding to the environment around them. Alzheimer's is one of the leading causes of death in this country. Those with Alzheimer's live an average of eight years after their symptoms become noticeable to others, but survival can range from four to 20 years, depending on age and other health conditions.
Although current Alzheimer's treatments cannot stop it from progressing, they can temporarily slow the worsening of dementia symptoms and improve quality of life for those suffering from Alzheimer's and their caregivers. Today, there is a worldwide effort under way to find better ways to treat the disease, delay its onset, and prevent it from developing.
Dementia Awareness Week is running on the 14th to the 20th of May 2017 and is supported by the Alzheimer's Society. The Alzheimer's Society is a UK charity which provides support and research for those affected by dementia. This event is also a time to support the work of the Alzheimer's Society through various fundraising activities. Money raised during Dementia Awareness Week goes a long way to support people with dementia and their families. Support can take the form of information, practical advice, emotional support through the society's Dementia Advisors, or through visits by an experienced dementia support worker.
We are fighting a battle against dementia. Don’t let it win.
By Anya Shah, Bancrofts School
