September is World Alzheimer’s Month and is recognized in over 120 countries. Alzheimer’s Disease International (alzint.org) refers to Dementia as “a collective name for brain syndromes which affect memory, thinking, behaviour and emotion, and is the leading cause of disability and dependency among the elderly. Each person experiences dementia in their own way, but generally those affected eventually need help with all aspects of daily life”.
I’d like to share some heart-breaking facts on dementia:
- A new case of dementia arises somewhere in the world every 3 seconds;
- Up to three quarters of those with dementia worldwide have not received a Diagnosis
- Almost 80% of the general public are concerned about developing dementia;
- 1 in 4 people think that there is nothing we can do to prevent dementia;
- Almost 62% of healthcare practitioners worldwide incorrectly think that dementia is part of normal ageing;
- 35% of caregivers across the world said that they have hidden the diagnosis of dementia of a family member;
- Over 50% of caregivers globally say their health has suffered as a result of their caring responsibilities even whilst expressing positive sentiments about their role.
Rose Hill Lane is proud to be a partner to the Alzheimer’s Society of Niagara Region (ASNR) and serves dementia patients across the region to live a life full of daily meaning and value. Rose Hill Lane and our Personal Support Workers help to raise awareness and improve the lives of those affected by dementia through a variety of methods:
- Our Personal Support Workers are provided ongoing training to help identify symptoms of dementia and raise to family and medical professionals for further investigation;
- Our dedicated approach to learning and development provides greater quality of care for patients who suffer from dementia, resulting in maintaining a sense of wellbeing and individuality for each person;
- In partnering with the ASNR, our PSWs leverage best practices and proven strategies to work with dementia patients through the delivery of meaningful activities. “Meaningful” to the patient and their own individual interests and abilities;
- Many of the people who provide care for dementia patients are loved ones (family and friend). PSWs provide caregivers with much needed respite support to refresh and deal with their own needs and a break from providing care.
I am proud to share that commencing in October 2022, Rose Hill Lane PSWs will participate in U-First!® training which is a program that helps non-registered health care providers develop a knowledge base, language, values and approach to caring for people with Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive impairment by understanding the person and associated behaviour changes leading to individualized support strategies.
To learn more about this very effective training, visit http://u-first.ca/
Alzheimer’s is everyone’s issue. It affects the people we love, our friends and coworkers or maybe even ourselves. One day it might affect you. Take a moment this month to learn more about Alzheimer’s and how you can provide support, kindness and compassion to a person living with dementia or their caregiver.