Having worked in the care sector myself, I know all too well what devastating effects dementia can have on one’s mental abilities. I have developed close bonds with families who have been affected by dementia. It can be both distressing and heart breaking for relatives to watch their loved ones mental health slowly decline. That’s why I feel raising awareness and providing support to families is so important.
What is Dementia?
Dementia is a name for a group of symptoms associated with an ongoing decline of the brain. These generally cause problems with –
Memory Loss
Thinking speed
Language
Perception
Dementia gets progressively worse as the brains nerve cells die. However, if it is diagnosed at an early stage it can be slowed down to preserve mental function. Support is absolute key and Active Minds provides just that!
Quality Of Life
Active Minds was founded by Ben Atkinson-Willes, who’s late Grandad lived with dementia. Taking the knowledge from his grandad’s condition, he then went on to incorporate that information into developing fantastic Alzheimer’s Art Therapy to improve the quality of life for people living with dementia.
The Reminiscence Activities that Active Minds provide are fantastic. They are designed to help carers and family to encourage those living with dementia, to interact and discuss fond memories.
My favourite activity packs are the jigsaw puzzles. As dementia progresses then things that once seemed effortless, become a mountain of a task. The uncertainty of dementia can be the difference between completing a 1000 piece jigsaw with ease, to finding a child’s 15 piece jigsaw rather difficult. Why I love the concept of Active minds jigsaws is that they have adult themes such as gardening and even personalised photo puzzles. No family member wants to watch their loved one struggling with a toddlers jigsaw. It is both patronising and demeaning. Active Minds puzzles continue to maintain dignity and independence as every individual deserves.
Here is one of the reports from family carers who have used Active Minds Activity packs.
In 2016, Active Minds helped to improve the quality of life and well-being for over 52,000 people across the world living with dementia.
90% of customers enjoyed the products
70% felt well-being improved
84% felt conversation improved
83% felt reduced frustration
90% would recommend Active Minds products
Organisations such as Age UK, Bupa and the NHS are all clients of Active Minds. With around 800,000 people living with dementia in the UK, professional carers and 80% of family members felt the activities improved the quality of life of people with dementia.
Has dementia affected your family?
*This is a collaborative post*
Until recently I didn’t really understand dementia so this is such an important post! Active Minds sounds like they do some really good work.
What an incredible campaign – my Grandma sadly had dementia, so I’m fully aware of how upsetting it can be to witness a loved one with it.
Hi Jayne, dementia is a nasty disease. No one in my family have suffered with it, but we do have concerns about an old family friend. She came over for Mums birthday a few weeks back and what we saw concerned us. Her friends are going to try and get her help in the UK, sadly she never married or had children so has no close family. I don’t know much about the disease, but keeping the mind active and connecting over old memories sound like a good idea.
xx
I’ve lived with seeing relatives struggle with dementia and it’s something we are going through with a recently diagnosed close family member. Great post and it’s so important to maintain dignity
I have to admit, it’s not an illness I have had direct experience of, but it does sound so hard for all concerned. These aids sound like a great support tool for sufferers
It is so important to raise awareness, especially as it will probably become more prevalent as our population age increases.
I worked in social care too and my grandma suffered dementia so I too know how awful it can be. Great to highlight this cause x
My Nan has dementia and it’s so heartbreaking to watch, especially because we are so close. It’s so important to raise awareness and help people see the signs so treatment can be given as early as possible.
I worked in the care sector for many years and I too saw so many people robbed of their memories and how hard it was both on the patients and the families
I have no experience of relations suffereing from dementia, but it does seem so cruel for all concerned. Love the idea of the adult interest jigsaws. I’d not thought of that and the difference it would make. Good to know that this kind of thoughtful care exists. #MMBC