In September 2012 Karen
Patrick walked part of the Great Wall of China for Dementia Care.
Her story is related in her book 'Scaling the Dragon's Back' which is available from Amazon for Kindle, Barnes and Noble for Nook, on Kobo and on all other formats from theendlessbookcase.co.uk
Her book is sold in support of Dementia Care.
In my blog
dated 9th July 2014 I wrote of the loneliness and isolation of many dementia
sufferers and those caring for them as often their friends slowly disappear as
this dreadful illness progresses.
Since my
blog, University College London (UCL) has published survey results based on a
number of studies around the world, which found 40% of people looking after
loved ones with dementia are clinically depressed or suffering from
anxiety. Professor Gill Livingston said "caring for a relative
with Dementia can be particularly taxing because of the length of the illness
and its nature."
Sunday September 14th is National Dementia Carers' Day. To live well with dementia means having the right
care. If you know anyone, a relative, friend, or colleague who is caring
for someone living with dementia why not show them you care and are thinking of
them. Pay them a visit at home, ring to catch up, send flowers or a
card. Maybe even plan an outing or give them a break, some time away from
caring for their loved one.
The intent of National
Dementia Carers’ Day 2014 is to recognise and celebrate the efforts of the thousands of informal carers
across the UK who provide support for a loved one with dementia. To
recognise and share what it means to be a dementia carer. National
Dementia Carers’ Day is a UK-wide awareness day, falling within World
Alzheimer’s Month.
There are
currently 800,000 people today living with dementia in the UK, many of whom are
cared for by loved ones, friends and other important people in their
lives. In the UK alone it is estimated 1,000,000 people will be diagnosed
with dementia in the UK by 2025, which means many more will be thrust into the
role of becoming a family carer. National
Dementia Carers’ Day has been created to recognise and celebrate carers.
Dementia UK, Admiral Nurses put family carers and people with dementia at the heart of everything
they do. Admiral Nurses are specialist dementia nurses who give practical
and emotional support to families affected by dementia. To donate visit https://www.dementiauk.org/
Learn more
about the work of Dementia UK, Admiral Nurses from my blog post http://kephr.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/admiral-nurses-never-heard-of-them.html
To read my
blog on the loneliness and isolation of those living with dementia and their
carers http://kephr.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/the-loneliness-and-isolation-of.html
